Monday, October 15, 2012

The Ultimate Sugar Cookie - Secret Recipe Club

It's hard to decide what I like most about Secret Recipe Club...reveal day or choosing which recipe to make from my assigned blogger.  If I had to pick, I think it would be looking through the recipes of the blogger I am assigned for the month and deciding on a recipe.  This month, I was assigned Heavenly Treats and Treasures.  Check out her blog, she has beautiful photography and a wonderful selection of recipes.

Do you have a favorite cookie?  Mine is probably chocolate chip but a close second is a good sugar cookie.  When I came across the recipe for ULTIMATE Sugar Cookie, I stopped searching and bookmarked the recipe.

Why is this recipe the Ultimate Sugar Cookie?  The secret ingredients are cream cheese and melted butter.  The cream cheese, I totally get but melted butter just seems counter intuitive to cookies.  The results a slightly crispy, yet creamy sugar cookie!


 The Ultimate Sugar Cookie:
Yields about 18 large size cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar, plus about 1/3 cup for rolling
2 ounces of cream cheese (cut into eight pieces so it's easier to incorporate)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and still warm
1/3 cup canola oil (or vegetable oil)
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:
  •  Adjust oven rack to middle position.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line three baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl.  Set aside.
  • Add 1 1/2 cups sugar and cream cheese to a large bowl.  Pour warm butter over sugar mixture and whisk until combined.  Add vegetable oil and whisk again until incorporated.
  • Add egg, cream, vanilla and whisk until smooth.
  • Add half of flour mixture and gently mix in with a spatula or wooden spoon until almost incorporated, then do the same with the remaining flour.
  • Measure 1/3 cup sugar into a bowl.  Using about a 2" size scoop (approximately 2 1/2 tablespoon size), scoop cookie dough, drop into hands and roll gently into a ball.  Working in batches, roll balls of dough in the sugar to coat evenly and then space a few inches apart on cookie sheets.  There will be enough room for 6 large cookies per sheet. 
  • Using bottom of a drinking glass or a measuring cup, flatten each cookie so it is about 3" in diameter.
  • Sprinkle top of each cookie with additional sugar
  • Top with colored sprinkles if desired.
  • Bake one sheet at a time, just until edges are barely beginning to turn golden - about 12-13 minutes.  Rotate cookie sheets halfway through baking time.
  • Remove pan from oven, and allow cookies to cool 2 minutes on the sheets on a baking rack.  Then, slide cookies on parchment paper off sheet to the rack and allow to cool.

13 comments:

  1. every cookie I've ever made with cream cheese has been AMAZING! I look forward to giving these a try :)

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  2. Great recipe! Can't wait to make them.

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  3. Sounds like a keeper! I love a good sugar cookie.

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  4. Hi Julie,
    There is nothing better than a great Sugar Cookie and this recipe looks delicious. Great selection for the SRC.
    Miz Helen

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  5. Love sugar cookies! Interesting combo with the cream cheese and melted butter-yum:@)

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  6. Your group always has such fun with the Secret Recipe Club. It's great to have a good sugar cookie recipe, and it's always a lot of fun discovering a new blog and seeing what it's all about!

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  7. I LOVE a good sugar cookie. These really do sound ULTIMATE.

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  8. No matter how many cookies I have i eat them all. These are so perfect!

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  9. Oooh. I love a good sugar cookie, and these look awesome. What a great choice!!

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  10. My favorite cookies is oatmeal...but I love a good sugar cookie. I just realized I've never made sugar cookies. You've inspired me to give them a try.

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  11. I've been away for the past week but what a welcome home a delicious sugar cookie would be :) They are so delicious when the recipe is right!

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  12. They do look like the ultimate! I love chocolate chip, but I would never turn down a sugar cookie.

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  13. I have never made a sugar cookie with cream cheese, I must try it!
    Thanks for stopping by. I see 2 of my friends right above me, funny! We know each other from a cooking forum, before blogging.
    Bookmarking this!

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