Sweet & Simple Sugar Cookies - cooking recipe

Ingredients
    1 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened and cut into chunks
    1/2 cup sugar
    1/4 cup sugar (for garnish)
    1 large egg, at room temperature
    2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus
    2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
Preparation
    Position a rack in the middle of oven; preheat to 350\u00b0.
    Grease several large baking sheets or coat with nonstick cooking spray.
    In a large bowl, vigorously beat together the butter and 1/2 cup sugar until well blended and smooth.
    Add the egg, vanilla, and salt to the bowl; beat for 2 minutes or until the mixture is lightened in color and texture.
    Scrape down the sides as needed.
    Beat or stir in the flour just until evenly incorporated.
    Let stand to firm up for 5 minutes; if too soft to shape.
    If the dough is still too soft, work in up to 1 1/2 tablespoons more flour.
    With well greased hands, pull off dough portions and shape into scant 1-inch balls (alternately, scoop up balls of dough using a 1 1/4-inch diameter spring-loaded scoop).
    Space them about 2 1/2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
    Grease the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass and dip it into the 1/4 cup sugar.
    Press down on a ball to flatten it into a scant 2 1/4-2 1/2 inch, evenly thick round.
    Repeat, dipping the glass in the sugar, then flattening the balls.
    As needed, wipe excess sugar from the glass and re-grease the surface.
    Bake one sheet at a time for 8-12 minutes or until the cookies are lightly tinged at the edges.
    Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks; let stand until the cookies firm up slightly, about 4 minutes.
    Using a wide spatula, transfer the cookies to the wire racks; let cool.

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