Super easy cookies that get LOTS of compliments!

Isn’t it nice to have an EASY recipe that can be thrown together quickly AND taste good? I have just such a recipe for you today…

I love to cook, bake, entertain and have a party. Although, I am getting to where I like the clean-up less than I used to! Anyway, I think I do an OK job of cooking, baking and entertaining. But there is one thing I bake that I always get compliments on and I am sharing the recipe with you today!!

Seriously people, some people have gone on and on about how good these cookies are, that I have had to break down and tell them my secret.

I make pretty good sugar cookies. And my secret?

They come from a mix. Yes, I said a mix. I have used the cheapest brand I can find, it works OK. But I usually use Betty Crocker brand because if I am buying them at the grocery store, I try to catch them on sale and use a coupon. If I am at the warehouse store, then a box of 5 mixes is usually cheaper than the store brand.

Now there are a couple of things that I do that make the package mix outstanding.

Use REAL butter and REAL vanilla. I know it cost a bit more. Trust me on this, please.

Here are the ingredients…

1 package sugar cookie mix
1 stick REAL butter
1 egg
2 teaspoons REAL vanilla
Raw Sugar

Make sure the butter is softened, but not melting. If the butter is too soft, then the cookies will spread too much when baking. If I must microwave the butter, then I do no more than 10 seconds. You want the butter just soft enough to mash with a spoon.

Mix the butter, egg and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. By the way, you are doing this with a spoon, not a mixer.

It doesn’t have to be mixed completely, just kind of like this…

Then add the cookie mix and mix with a spoon. It will begin to come together like this…

I kind of mash the butter and cookie mix together. Stirring doesn’t work as well. And I have been known to use my hands to squeeze it together, but try not to work the dough too much because it can make the cookies tough.

Eventually, it gets all mixed together. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.

Now pour some of the raw sugar into a small bowl. Make walnut sized balls of dough and roll in the raw sugar.

I have used regular sugar, but raw sugar is crucial for a nice crunch on the cookies when they are baked.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-11 minutes, depending on your oven, just until the edges begin to brown. This allows for a soft, chewy cookie. For a crispier cookie, bake a few minutes longer.

You can get almost 3 dozen cookies using walnut sized balls. I have made smaller cookies for different occasions, just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

I am serious….these are dangerously good sugar cookies! There are instructions on the package for rolled sugar cookies. While I have never done that, the key would be REAL butter and REAL vanilla.

I hope you enjoy these as much as my family does!

Do you have a holiday baking secret?

Are you willing to share?

For the record, I took all photos in this post and yes,

I know I am NOT a food stylist! And yes, there is such a

job. I knew one once!

3 Comments

Kathleen on December 3, 2013 at 4:40 pm

Oh my goodness. I remember having these and then making them! You won't believe this but I was cleaning out my pantry this morning and found a box of sugar in the raw and could not for the life of me remember why I had it!! What a coincidence. Thanks for reminding me of the recipe. Can't wait to make them again. Have a great day, Mary.