Hello, Good News! If you are looking for a simple and tasty way to make sugar cookies, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will show you how to make Pamela’s sugar cookies, a popular recipe that has been loved by many people for years. Pamela’s sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and buttery, with a hint of vanilla and almond. They are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday, a holiday, or just a treat for yourself.
Pamela’s sugar cookies are also very easy to make, with only a few basic ingredients and simple steps. You don’t need any special equipment or skills to bake these cookies. All you need is a mixing bowl, a spoon, a cookie sheet, and an oven. You can also customize your cookies with different shapes, colors, and decorations. The possibilities are endless!
What Makes Pamela’s Sugar Cookies So Good?
Pamela’s sugar cookies are not your ordinary sugar cookies. They have some special features that make them stand out from the rest. Here are some of the reasons why Pamela’s sugar cookies are so good:
They use both butter and shortening
Butter and shortening are both types of fat that are used in baking. Butter adds flavor and richness to the cookies, while shortening makes them light and tender. By using both butter and shortening in the recipe, Pamela’s sugar cookies have the best of both worlds: they are flavorful and moist, but also fluffy and soft.
They use both vanilla and almond extracts
Vanilla and almond extracts are both types of flavoring that are used in baking. Vanilla extract adds a sweet and warm aroma to the cookies, while almond extract adds a nutty and floral note. By using both vanilla and almond extracts in the recipe, Pamela’s sugar cookies have a complex and balanced flavor that is not too overpowering or bland.
They use baking powder and baking soda
Baking powder and baking soda are both types of leavening agents that are used in baking. Leavening agents help the cookies rise and spread in the oven. Baking powder is a combination of baking soda and an acid, while baking soda is a base that reacts with an acid in the recipe. By using both baking powder and baking soda in the recipe, Pamela’s sugar cookies have a perfect texture: they are not too flat or too puffy, but just right.
How to Make Pamela’s Sugar Cookies: The Ingredients
To make Pamela’s sugar cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Butter | 3/4 cup (170 g) |
| Shortening | 1/4 cup (50 g) |
| Sugar | 1 cup (200 g) |
| Egg | 1 large |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon (5 ml) |
| Almond extract | 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) |
| All-purpose flour | 2 1/2 cups (310 g) |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon (5 g) |
| Baking soda | 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) |
You will also need some additional ingredients for decorating your cookies, such as food coloring, sprinkles, icing, etc.
How to Make Pamela’s Sugar Cookies: The Steps
To make Pamela’s sugar cookies, you will need to follow these steps:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray. This will prevent your cookies from sticking to the pan.
Step 2: Cream the butter, shortening, and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or a wooden spoon to cream together the butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 3 minutes with an electric mixer or 5 minutes with a wooden spoon.
Step 3: Add the egg and the extracts
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture and beat well until combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well until a soft dough forms. You may need to use your hands to knead the dough a few times.
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out some dough and roll it into a ball. Place the dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) of space between them. Flatten the dough balls slightly with your fingers or a fork. You can also use cookie cutters to make different shapes.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges. Do not overbake them, as they will continue to cook on the cookie sheet after you take them out of the oven.
Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. You can then decorate your cookies with food coloring, sprinkles, icing, etc. Be creative and have fun!
FAQs About Pamela’s Sugar Cookies
You can store Pamela’s sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw frozen cookies, let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before eating or decorating.
Yes, you can make Pamela’s sugar cookies ahead of time. You can either bake them and freeze them, or freeze the unbaked dough. To freeze the unbaked dough, shape it into balls or cut out shapes and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze them until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. When you are ready to bake them, place them on a cookie sheet and bake as directed, adding a few minutes to the baking time if needed.
We do not recommend using margarine instead of butter in Pamela’s sugar cookies, as it will affect the flavor and texture of the cookies. Margarine has more water and less fat than butter, which will make your cookies spread more and be less tender. Butter also has a richer and more buttery taste than margarine.
We do not recommend using oil instead of shortening in Pamela’s sugar cookies, as it will also affect the flavor and texture of the cookies. Oil is liquid at room temperature, while shortening is solid. This will make your cookies spread more and be less fluffy. Shortening also helps create a crispier edge and a softer center in your cookies.
You can use gluten-free flour in Pamela’s sugar cookies, but you may need to adjust the amount of flour and add some xanthan gum to help bind the dough. Gluten-free flour tends to be more absorbent and less elastic than regular flour, which can make your cookies dry and crumbly. We suggest using a gluten-free flour blend that is designed for baking, such as Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur Flour. You may also need to add about 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup of flour to help create structure and elasticity in your dough.
You can use coconut sugar or brown sugar in Pamela’s sugar cookies, but they will change the color and flavor of your cookies. Coconut sugar and brown sugar have more molasses than white sugar, which will make your cookies darker and more caramel-like. They will also make your cookies softer and chewier than crispier.
You can add chocolate chips or nuts to Pamela’s sugar cookies, but you may need to reduce the amount of flour slightly to prevent your dough from being too dry. You can also press some chocolate chips or nuts on top of your dough balls before baking them for a nice touch.
How to Add Flavor and Fun to Pamela’s Sugar Cookies
Pamela’s sugar cookies are already delicious and easy to make, but you can also add some flavor and fun to them with some simple variations. Here are some ideas to spice up your sugar cookies:
Add some spices or citrus zest
You can add some spices or citrus zest to the dough to give your cookies a different flavor. For example, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom for a warm and spicy taste. Or you can add 1 teaspoon of lemon, orange, or lime zest for a fresh and zesty taste.
Add some extracts or flavor oils
You can also add some extracts or flavor oils to the dough to give your cookies a different flavor. For example, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint, coconut, maple, or rum extract for a festive and fun taste. Or you can add a few drops of flavor oils, such as strawberry, cherry, or chocolate, for a fruity and sweet taste.
Add some food coloring
You can add some food coloring to the dough to give your cookies a different color. For example, you can add a few drops of red, green, blue, or yellow food coloring for a bright and colorful look. Or you can mix different colors to create your own shades, such as purple, pink, or orange.
A Table Breakdown of Pamela’s Sugar Cookies Nutrition Facts
Pamela’s sugar cookies are not only delicious, but also nutritious. Here is a table breakdown of the nutrition facts per cookie (based on 36 cookies per batch):
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 120 | 6% |
| Fat | 6 g | 9% |
| Saturated fat | 3 g | 15% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 15 mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 75 mg | 3% |
| Carbohydrate | 16 g | 5% |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugar | 8 g | N/A |
| Protein | 1 g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 4% | N/A |
| Vitamin C | 0% | N/A |
| Calcium | 2% | N/A |
| Iron | 4% | N/A |
As you can see, Pamela’s sugar cookies are a good source of calories, fat, and vitamin A, which are essential for energy, growth, and vision. They also have some protein, calcium, and iron, which are important for muscle, bone, and blood health. However, they are also high in sugar and saturated fat, which can be harmful for your teeth and heart. Therefore, you should enjoy Pamela’s sugar cookies in moderation and balance them with other healthy foods.
Conclusion
Pamela’s sugar cookies are a delicious and easy recipe that you can make at home with simple ingredients and steps. They are soft, chewy, and buttery, with a hint of vanilla and almond. They are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday, a holiday, or just a treat for yourself. You can also customize your cookies with different shapes, colors, and decorations. You can also add some flavor and fun to your cookies with some spices, extracts, or food coloring. Pamela’s sugar cookies are not only tasty, but also nutritious. They have some calories, fat, and vitamin A, as well as some protein, calcium, and iron. However, they are also high in sugar and saturated fat, so you should eat them in moderation and balance them with other healthy foods.
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