Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes Vanilla Sugar Cookies 4.2 (25) 3 Reviews By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 12, 2017 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Prep Time: 15 mins Total Time: 1 hrs Yield: 18 These crisp-chewy cookies have a great buttery taste and a nice note of fresh vanilla. Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon coarse salt 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar ¼ cup packed light-brown sugar 2 vanilla beans, split and scraped, pod reserved for another use 2 ½ sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 2 large eggs Fine sanding sugar, for sprinkling Water, for brushing Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Beat sugars and vanilla seeds with a mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add butter; beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture; beat until well combined. Using a 2-inch ice cream scoop (3 tablespoons), drop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing2 inches apart (no more than 4 cookies per sheet). Flatten cookies slightly using the palm of your hand; sprinkle with sanding sugar. Lightly brush tops of cookies with water using a pastry brush. Sprinkle with sanding sugar again. Bake until light golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks, and let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks, and let cool completely. Cook's Notes Sugar cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Rate it Print