Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

Cinnamon Sugar Cookies - made dough November 21, 2018 from The Fearless Baker by Emily Luchetti

This is a very simple, straightforward cookie. One of those modest-looking gems that have good flavor and is deceptively easy to make, perfect to include in the madness of holiday baking or if you need a nice little filler cookie in a gift basket.

You make the dough, which is easy to handle, not too dry or crumbly or soft and sticky, and roll into logs. Refrigerate or freeze then when you're ready to bake, roll the logs in cinnamon sugar, slice and bake. Couldn't be simpler and you can fit into a busy schedule by making the cookie dough when you have 10 minutes (15 minutes if you're moving slowly) then baking them at a later time when you have 30 minutes or more for the baking and cooling times.

If you underbake, you get a nice, dense texture. If you bake fully (don't overbake), you'll get a slightly lighter, more airy texture. Either way, the flavor is pretty good. It's not quite a snickerdoodle, despite the cinnamon sugar coating, since it doesn't have the same taste or texture, but it's still a good cinnamon-sugar cookie.

8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Cream butter and 1/3 cup sugar until smooth. Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla just until combined. Add flour, salt and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and mix until just combined.
2. Divide dough in half, sprinkle with flour and roll each piece into a 6-inch log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Stir together remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle onto a piece of parchment paper. Roll the logs in the cinnamon sugar to coat evenly. Cut each log into 1/2-inch slices.
5. Evenly space onto prepared baking sheets and bake until the cookies are golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. Cool.