Caramelized-Sugar Cookies
James Carrier
Yields Makes about 55 cookies
Notes: Store these caramel cookies airtight for up to 2 days.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Butter a 12- by 14-inch piece of foil and set on a baking sheet. In an 8- to 10-inch frying pan over medium-high heat, melt 1/2 cup sugar, frequently shaking and tilting pan. When mixture is a light caramel color (in about 6 minutes), pour onto foil. Let stand until caramel is hard, about 5 minutes. Break into chunks, then, in a food processor or a heavy plastic food bag with a mallet, crush into 1/8- to 1/4-inch pieces.

Step 2
2

In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and remaining 1/2 cup sugar until well blended. Beat in 2 tablespoons water and the vanilla until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.

Step 3
3

In another bowl, mix flour and baking powder. Stir or beat into butter mixture until well incorporated. Stir in crushed caramel.

Step 4
4

Drop dough in 1 1/2-teaspoon portions, 2 inches apart, onto buttered or cooking parchment-lined 12- by 15-inch baking sheets.

Step 5
5

Bake cookies in a 325° oven until edges are light brown, 12 to 15 minutes; if baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking.

Step 6
6

Let stand on sheets until slightly firm, 1 to 2 minutes, then use a spatula to transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.

Step 7
7

Note: Nutritional analysis is per cookie.

Ingredients

 1 cup sugar
 3/4 cup (3/8 lb.) butter, at room temperature
 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

Step 1
1

Butter a 12- by 14-inch piece of foil and set on a baking sheet. In an 8- to 10-inch frying pan over medium-high heat, melt 1/2 cup sugar, frequently shaking and tilting pan. When mixture is a light caramel color (in about 6 minutes), pour onto foil. Let stand until caramel is hard, about 5 minutes. Break into chunks, then, in a food processor or a heavy plastic food bag with a mallet, crush into 1/8- to 1/4-inch pieces.

Step 2
2

In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and remaining 1/2 cup sugar until well blended. Beat in 2 tablespoons water and the vanilla until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.

Step 3
3

In another bowl, mix flour and baking powder. Stir or beat into butter mixture until well incorporated. Stir in crushed caramel.

Step 4
4

Drop dough in 1 1/2-teaspoon portions, 2 inches apart, onto buttered or cooking parchment-lined 12- by 15-inch baking sheets.

Step 5
5

Bake cookies in a 325° oven until edges are light brown, 12 to 15 minutes; if baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking.

Step 6
6

Let stand on sheets until slightly firm, 1 to 2 minutes, then use a spatula to transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.

Step 7
7

Note: Nutritional analysis is per cookie.

Caramelized-Sugar Cookies

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