Description
Soft, chewy, buttery‑vanilla cookies with a tender, caramel‑like flavor — a simple classic cookie that lets the dough shine without any chocolate chips.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened but cool to the touch
- ¾ cup light or dark brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine salt (adjust if using salted butter)
- Optional: flaky sea salt for sprinkling after baking
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract; mix until fully combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, dry milk powder (if using), baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low just until no streaks remain — do not overmix.
- Scoop dough portions (about 2 tablespoons per cookie) onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them a few inches apart. Optional: briefly chill the dough to help cookies hold shape.
- Bake for 8–12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
- Remove from oven. If desired, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top while cookies are still warm. Let them rest on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Notes
- Using dark brown sugar gives a deeper, more caramel‑like flavor; light brown sugar gives a milder sweetness.
- For more chewiness, you can replace the egg with one egg yolk (or use an extra yolk instead of whole egg).
- If using salted butter, reduce or omit the added salt to avoid over‑salting.
- You can freeze dough balls on a tray, then store in a freezer bag; bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
- Cookies stay soft and chewy for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
