Vanilla Drop Cookies

These tender little cookies are the easiest route to holiday cookie success because they require no rolling, chilling, or cutting. For an elegant look, dip the tops of the unbaked dough balls in coarse sanding sugar or chopped toasted nuts. To gild the lily even further, drizzle or dip them in Basic Glaze or Royal Icing and add dragées or sprinkles. You can easily double this recipe.New! Use the HolidayCookie Recipe Maker to customize your Christmas cookies with your favorite flavors,
icings, and decorative toppings.

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  9 oz. (2 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour; more as needed
  
  


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  1/2 tsp. baking powder
  
  


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  1/2 tsp. table salt
  
  


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  6 oz. (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  
  


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  1 cup granulated sugar
  
  


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  1 large egg, at room temperature
  
  


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  1-1/2 tsp. pure vanilla paste or vanilla extract
  
  

Tip:

For flavor variations, the vanilla amount may vary

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl with a hand-held electric mixer), beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and beater with a rubber spatula as needed.

Add the egg and vanilla and continue to mix until well blended, about 1 minute. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour mixture, and mix until well blended, about 1 minute more.

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 or more cookie sheets with parchment or nonstick baking liners.

Using a 1-tablespoon ice cream scoop (or two tablespoons), drop rounded balls of the dough about 1-1/2 inches apart on the prepared sheets.

Bake two sheets at a time, rotating and switching their positions halfway through, until the edges and bottoms of the cookies are golden (or darker brown for chocolate cookies), 11 to 13 minutes. Let the cookies cool on their sheets on wire racks for about 5 minutes, and then transfer them to the racks to cool completely.

Serve, decorate, or freeze the cookies.