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#### Instructions:
1. **Preheat Your Oven**: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure the cookies don’t stick.
2. **Mix the Wet Ingredients**: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to blend them until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is important because it helps incorporate air into the dough, which results in a lighter, fluffier cookie.
3. **Add the Dry Ingredients**: To the butter-sugar mixture, add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. If you’re using vanilla extract, add that as well. Mix everything together until the dough comes together. It may be a bit crumbly at first, but as you continue to mix, it will form a dough.
4. **Form the Cookie Dough**: Scoop out small portions of the dough with a tablespoon or your hands, and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each dough ball to allow for spreading during baking.
5. **Bake the Cookies**: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary, and you want to catch them just as they turn golden to achieve the perfect texture.
6. **Cool and Enjoy**: Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This ensures they hold their shape and become crisp.
#### Variations to Personalize Your Cookies
The best part about this simple cookie recipe is how easily it can be customized. Want chocolate chip cookies? You got it. Prefer something nutty? No problem! Here are some easy ways to modify the recipe to suit your preferences:
#### 1. **Chocolate Chip Cookies**
Simply fold in **1/2 cup of chocolate chips** (or more, if you’re a big fan of chocolate) into the dough before scooping out the cookie balls. This will result in the classic, beloved chocolate chip cookie. You can use milk, dark, or white chocolate chips, depending on your preference.
#### 2. **Nutty Cookies**
Add **1/2 cup of chopped nuts** such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the dough for a crunchy and nutty flavor. You can also combine chocolate chips and nuts for a more complex flavor profile.
#### 3. **Dried Fruit Cookies**
If you’re a fan of fruity desserts, fold in **1/2 cup of dried cranberries**, raisins, or chopped dried apricots. These add natural sweetness and a chewy texture to the cookies, balancing out the richness of the butter and sugar.
#### 4. **Spiced Cookies**
For a warm, spiced twist, add a teaspoon of ground **cinnamon**, **nutmeg**, or **ginger** to the dry ingredients. This variation is especially comforting during the colder months and pairs beautifully with a cup of tea.
#### 5. **Lemon or Orange Zest**
For a refreshing citrus flavor, add the **zest of one lemon** or **orange** to the dough. This brightens up the cookie and pairs well with a cup of tea, making it an ideal choice for an afternoon snack.
#### 6. **Peanut Butter Cookies**
For a nutty, salty-sweet cookie, add **1/4 cup of peanut butter** to the butter-sugar mixture. This creates a soft and flavorful cookie with a hint of peanut butter goodness. You can also add **chocolate chips** or **chopped peanuts** for an extra punch.
#### 7. **Oatmeal Cookies**
For a heartier cookie, fold in **1/2 cup of rolled oats** into the dough. Oats give the cookies a chewy texture and a slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with raisins, chocolate chips, or even coconut flakes.
### Tips for Perfect Cookies Every Time
– **Use Room Temperature Butter**: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing it with the sugar. Cold butter will make it difficult to cream, resulting in denser cookies.
– **Measure Flour Properly**: When measuring flour, fluff it up in the container first and then spoon it into the measuring cup. Level it off with a knife. This will prevent you from using too much flour, which can lead to dry cookies.
– **Don’t Overmix**: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
– **Experiment with Oven Temperature**: Every oven is slightly different. If you find that your cookies are browning too quickly or taking longer to bake, adjust the oven temperature by 5-10 degrees up or down as needed.
### Why These Cookies Are Perfect for Tea Time
Tea and cookies have been a match made in heaven for centuries. The light, comforting flavor of tea complements the rich, sweet taste of cookies, making the combination a perfect treat during afternoon tea, a casual snack, or a delightful dessert after a meal.
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