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Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies

These big cookies have two coats of sanding sugar, which create a delicate crust that sparkles. The crunchy coating gives way to a soft cookie with bright, lemony flavor in each bite.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 1Ā 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1Ā 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.

    Step 2

    Put sugars and zest in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed 30 seconds. Add butter; mix until pale and fluffy, about 1 minute. Mix in eggs one at a time, and then the lemon juice. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture.

    Step 3

    Using a 2-inch ice cream scoop, drop dough onto parchment paper–lined baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. Flatten cookies slightly; sprinkle with sanding sugar. Lightly brush with a wet pastry brush; sprinkle with more sanding sugar.

    Step 4

    Bake cookies until golden, about 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer cookies to wire racks using a spatula; let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature up to 3 days.

Martha Stewart's Cookies
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