Ouma se Koekies (Grandmother's Butter Cookies)

🧂 Ingredients

• 200g Unsalted Butter(Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming.)
• 150g Granulated Sugar(Or caster sugar for a finer texture.)
• 2 Large Eggs(Room temperature eggs will incorporate better.)
• 400g All-Purpose Flour
• 2 tsp Baking Powder(Check expiry date to ensure leavening power.)
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract(Adds a lovely aroma and depth of flavor.)
• 1/4 tsp Salt(Enhances the overall flavor profile.)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes
2. 2

   In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer (or a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease) until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This process should take about 3-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes
3. 3

   Add the room temperature eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. If using, stir in the vanilla extract.

   ⏱️ 2 minutes
4. 4

   In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt (if using).

   ⏱️ 2 minutes
5. 5

   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, mixing on low speed (or stirring gently with a spatula) until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain. The dough will be soft.

   ⏱️ 3 minutes
6. 6

   Chill the dough for at least 15-20 minutes. This will make it easier to handle and prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

   ⏱️ 20 minutes (chilling)
7. 7

   Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of the chilled dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) between each cookie to allow for spreading.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes
8. 8

   Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set. The exact baking time will depend on your oven and the size of your cookies.

   ⏱️ 12-15 minutes
9. 9

   Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking.

   ⏱️ 10 minutes (cooling)

💡 Pro Tips

• ✓For a smoother dough, ensure your butter is truly softened but not melted.
• ✓Don't overmix the dough after adding the flour, as this can lead to tough cookies.
• ✓Chilling the dough is a crucial step for achieving the right texture and shape.
• ✓These cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

🔄 Variations

• Add 100g of chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the dough after step 5.
• Mix in 50g of desiccated coconut with the dry ingredients in step 4.
• Sprinkle the tops with a little extra sugar before baking for a slight crunch.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving