You know what? You deserve a break. Seriously. It’s Saturday. Let’s take it easy.
I know… I know. You have that whole list of things to do. Sure, you need to get the car washed. Yes, there’s that thing about going to the pet store, and getting a present for your mother-in-law’s church friend’s niece. You’ve got a lot on your plate. I know. But… well what would happen, if for today, you kicked the list to the curb and kicked you feet up on the couch?
I’ll tell you what would happen. The car would stay dirty, the pet store would miss you, and your mother-in-law’s church friend’s niece would have one less present at her party. She’ll have enough presents. Go on… take a break.
Now… if you’re anything like me, you have a list and you can’t stand not to start crossing tasks off. Here’s my tip: make a new list. I’ll help. On our new list are these things: go to the farmer’s market and buy the prettiest cherries you can get your hands on, treat yourself to frozen yogurt, call that friend you’ve been meaning to call, watch at least three hours of a Law and Order marathon, and have two glasses of wine with dinner… dinner out.
See? Better list. It’s the list you should be working on this Saturday.
Aaaaand, if you wanted to add the making of these sugar cookies to the list… forget about it. These can go on your Sunday to-do list. Yea. Sunday.
These sugar cookies are superb. Superb. Why? Their greatness is do, in part, to their giant size. Who doesn’t love a super giant cookie? There’s more cookie to love. Simple fact.
Also… I know I’ve been using this doily a lot lately. I’ll switch it up soon.
Giant Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies
from The Pastry Queen (I kinda looooove this book)
makes 1 dozen 4-inch cookies or 2 dozen 2-inch cookies
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil, such as canola or sunflower oil. I used almond oil.
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus additional for sugaring tops
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, or the seeds of 1 vanilla bean
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, or foil, or grease generously with butter or cooking spray.
Using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter in a large bowl on medium speed for about 1 minute. Add the vegetable oil. It may not fully incorporate with the butter, but that’s ok. Add the granulated sugar, powdered sugar, egg and vanilla, beating on medium speed until each ingredient is completely incorporated.
Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt all at once using a wooden spoon or the mixer set on low.
The dough will be soft.
Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour or freeze for 15 minutes just so it’s easier to handle.
For large cookies, dollop 2 Tablespoons of cookie dough onto the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. For smaller cookies use 1 Tablespoon for each cookie. Press the dough evenly with your fingers or palm to 1/4-inch thickness. Generously sprinkle sugar on top of the cookie dough.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes for larger cookies or 8 to 10 minutes for smaller cookies. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring to racks to cool completely. The cookies will keep for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container.
{ 80 comments… read them below or add one }
These look delicious, and I may have to set aside my to do list and make these Saturday!!
These look just lovely. I just made some simple raspberry cream cookies that were the result of an urge to bake something simple. I am always searching for a new sugar cookie recipe so I must give this one a go!
Ooh, giant, simple, but delicious looking cookies. That’s definitely worth starting a new list for. I think the list would go something like:
1. bake cookies
2. eat cookies
3. rest.
Roll on a lazy cookie-filled Sunday.
How did you know I was planning to wash my car today… I just got my farmers market email saying its the first week of cherries, FM sounds like a much better plan than washing the car!
Your sugar cookies look fantastic, crispy on the edge and a bit chewy in the middle, just the way I like em!
Oh Joy, you’re a mind reader. My car is realllllly awful and needs a HUGE clean. I need to blog too. I envy you and your many posts! :)
giant cookies are always a crowd pleaser :)
Now if only someone would make these for me, and I could continue lying around the house doing nothing and everything at the same time.
By the way, I’ve got a Perricone MD product to give away over at my blog. Come check it out :)
These look really good…are they crispy or soft??
My next cookie, I love vanilla and sugar cookies are the best. I don’t make rolled out cookies however and this was a lucky find! thanks.
Mmmm, they look so yummy! Thanks for the recipe :-)
These look lovely and I’d say they look quite delcious as is, unadorned, naked-don’t need any icing-nada–perfect!!
You are my sugar cookie…lol
Joy, my to-do-list for today really does include going to my local farmers’ market to find yummy cherries! Also these cookies look delicious. I love sugar cookies.
Wow, these look simple but delicious! They are definitely going on my summer baking list!
I love your site. Absolutely love it! And I am at this moment imaging these cookies with some creamy cold vanilla bean ice cream in between. The ultimate ice cream sandwich. Yum! Thank you for doing what you do!
…Holy Moly girl, now you’re talkin’ my language! lol… Who doesn’t love a cookie that equals eating two cookies in one and then kidding yourself into saying that you only ate one cookie while telling yourself I believe I’ll have another?! Ha! ;o) (read that sentence really fast…lol)
…Anyway, I’ve been following you for quite some time and am a first time commenter but I just wanna say “thank you” for having a great site and also for this recipe. I’ll def’ be giving this one a try! :o)
…Have a great weekend and blessings too…
Yes yes I like the second list much better! And these cookies look scrumptious!
Yum. Cookies look delicious. Unfortunately it’s over 90 with 90 percent humidity. . . .No oven for me. . . One of the things I hate about summer. . . However, I am all over that new list of yours. Definitely liking it better than the one I made, which includes weeding the garden. . . ;)
Have a great weekend.
wow!!!!! Beautiful! I’ll definitely be making these soon :-) Thanks Joy!
I like your new list much better than my usual “to do” list! Those cookies look like a perfect nibble for that kind of day!
Goodbye studying,
hello vanilla cookies!
I don’t know what it is about each of your recipe entries…
but every time I read one I have to go make it the same day.
Off to the kitchen!
I love THIN sugar cookies. Yours look exceptional.
YUM!
Oh my goodness these are AMAZING!!! I made these this afternoon to soothe my battered nerves (thanks to my toddler’s very public tantrum at a local festival). They are delicate and lovely and oh-so-wonderful. :) Only change I made was I sprinkled the tops with super-fine vanilla sugar. Joy, you totally saved my day today!
Joy the Baker, you are the best! I wish I’d seen your list before I spent the day doing Saturday chores. However, my Sunday list is pretty similar. I will be visiting the FM, and an Italian market/deli for the first time. I’m just a bit giddy. I think I’ll have to add these cookies to my Sunday list for a fabulous ending. p.s. I do love the Pastry Queen.
Yum, Yum and did I mention YUM!!!! I heart me some good sugar cookies!!!
Oh yum! I think I’ll be making some of these really really soon! But I will take your advice and have a relaxing weekend first :)
I plan to make these cookies but had to tell you I made the Glazed Lime Cake and it was heavenly! I’ve never made a cake without regular sugar in it and this one was so light and refreshing and perfect for these hot days in Alabama. Even my husband said: “Man, that’s good cake” (said repeatedly while eating 3 pieces!)
Looks like a perfect saturday list to me!! And those cookies look oh so perfect!!
cheers
Cookie sunday sounds great to me :D
I don’t usually get excited about sugar cookies, but these look too good!
OK Joy……..you did it. You totally made me blow off the rest of the day and go to my kitchen where I’ll make these cookies. This is just plain old love bundled up in a cookie….I can tell….that’s the truth isn’t it? Hopefully I don’t eat all the dough before I get it on the cookie sheet and into the oven. Thanks for the recipe!! :) Beth (Long time reader, first time commenter)
Yay Beth! I’m glad my musings convinced you! Also… sweeeet! I love a first time commenter!
I made some of these this morning and W-O-W, these sure are GIANT!!
Great recipe Joy and I love your idea for the weekend to-do list.
Gee I wish I had read this on Saturday morning. I would have rewritten my list just like you said. But alas it is Sunday and I have all but one item checked off on my list… maybe next week.
Ooh, those look like fun! I’ve been looking for a good sugar cookie recipe as well! Gotta add these to my list of stuff to make.
It’s already Monday. I should have checked this out earlier in the weekend. Oh well, I may just need to make time to churn a few out this week. They look really yummy.
This looks great! Thanks for the recipe!
You know, I’ve only recently discovered your site while looking for a creamcheese frosting recipe… been hooked ever since! You’ve actually inspired me to revisit my baking tins and bowls.. thanks again!
dang it’s Monday already, I missed out this week! :) I think I did enough baking to make up for it though. great recipe! :D
Joy, these look awesome. I like the slight twist on the usual sugar cookie.
I had a great weekend, especially since I can cross off a number of the items on your Saturday list! I will be adding these sugar cookies to my list for next weekend. Thanks :)
I love a sugar cookie that I don’t have to hassle with rolling out. This looks great!
Mmmmm cookies. Sweet, simple cookies.
Oh I need to make that kind of list! That is the kind of list I need every Saturday! I felt relaxed just reading it!
Those cookies look super delicious.
Hey Joy-
Just curious…how would you classify these? Soft and chewy, or more crisp? I am in perpetual search of nice chewy sugar cookie (even CI’s didn’t do it for me!) and I’m wondering if this is it. thanks!
These look delicious.
Joy – you just inspired a major craving for sugar cookies – especially an over sized one. I just imagine dipping a cookie into a foamy chai tea latte.
Question – How fragrant/strong is almond oil? Which flavor stands out more – almond or vanilla? Or do they kinda meld?
These look fabulous! I think we all need a break for these cookies :)
Hey Joy – I just got up early this morning before work and baked these for my team – they LOVE them! Thanks for another great recipe :)
Ayer preparé estas galletas, el resultado deliciosas!, gracias por tu receta.
http://mar-todocaserito3.blogspot.com/2009/07/cookies-gigantes.html
Yes! I put the dough in the refrigerator last night and baked the cookies when I got up this morning. Two thumbs up for this recipe.
{ 18 trackbacks }