Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies

Let's Cook

1. Step 1.

   Sift together into a medium bowl: 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ¾ teaspoon salt; (¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon or ½ teaspoon grated or ground nutmeg)

2. Step 2.

   Beat in a large bowl, or in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy: 1 ¼ cups (250g) sugar; 1 ½ sticks (6 oz or 170g) unsalted butter, softened

3. Step 3.

   Add and beat to combine: 2 teaspoons vanilla; (Finely grated zest of 1 lemon)

4. Step 4.

   Beat in: 1 large egg

5. Step 5.

   Add the flour mixture and beat until the dough is smooth. Portion the dough by the rounded tablespoon and roll into balls, then roll the balls in: Sugar

6. Step 6.

   Place about 1 inch apart on the baking sheets, then flatten the balls with a glass. Bake until set and barely light brown around the edges, about 10 minutes, switching oven racks and rotating the sheets halfway through. Let cool for 2 or 3 minutes on the sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.