Sugar Cookies | Source: Handle the Heat

If you want something sweet without spending all afternoon in the kitchen, these chewy sugar cookies are perfect! They finish with a soft middle and a sugar coating that makes the cherry on top. They are easy enough for a relaxed weekend bake with family or friends. Best of all, you don't have to wait hours for the dough to chill like most cookie recipes. Everything comes together in about 30 minutes from start to finish, which is ideal when you want fresh homemade cookies without all the trouble.

Created by Tessa Arias of Handle the Heat, the recipe relies on just seven everyday ingredients and makes around 16 [large] cookies.

Ingredients

• 318g plain flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 3/4 (3 quarters) tsp fine sea salt 

• 226g unsalted butter, slightly softened but still cool

• 250g granulated sugar

• An additional 50g granulated sugar for coating

• 1 large egg and 1 extra egg yolk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make The Cookies

Sugar cookie ingredients mixed together | Source: Handle the heat

Step 1: Get your oven preheated to 175°C (350°F) and line a couple of trays with baking paper. Use a separate bowl to whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt).

Step 2: In a big bowl, mix your butter and 250g of sugar until it turns pale and fluffy. Add the egg, extra yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is fully combined.

Slowly mix in your dry ingredients until a soft dough comes together. Try not to overdo it here, as you want to keep the cookies tender.

Step 3: Roll the dough into about 16 evenly sized balls. Roll each one in the remaining sugar, then space them out on your trays. Take the bottom of a measuring cup and gently press down on each ball to flatten it slightly.

Step 4: Pop them in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch them closely: you want the edges to look set while the middles are still a bit soft. Don't panic if they seem slightly underbaked when you pull them out, because they will finish firming up right on the hot tray.

Let them sit for five minutes before moving them over to a wire cooling rack.

Eaten sugar cookies | Source: Handle the Heat

To get the best results, make sure to measure your flour carefully. If you use too much, the cookies can turn out dry. Also, remember not to overbake them either if you want the soft middle. Once they have cooled down completely, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay good for up to 3 days.

Give the recipe a go!