When you think of delightful treats at a café, Panera Bread often comes to mind with their delicious sugar cookies that offer a perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of vanilla allure. With our copycat Panera Bread sugar cookie recipe, you can recreate this beloved treat in the comfort of your own kitchen. The buttery texture and fragrant flavor of these cookies are sure to bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.
Why We Love This Panera Bread Sugar Cookie Recipe
This Panera Bread sugar cookie recipe has a special place in many hearts. Its simplicity allows you to whip it up quickly, making it the perfect option for bake sales, family gatherings, or just satisfying that sweet tooth. The combination of pure vanilla and almond extracts adds a unique touch that elevates the cookie from ordinary to extraordinary. With a velvety texture that just melts in your mouth, these cookies are not only delicious but also fun to decorate. You can enjoy these cookies plain or take your creativity up a notch by adding colorful sprinkles or icing.
Ingredients for Panera Bread Sugar Cookie Recipe
To make this scrumptious Panera Bread sugar cookie recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (for a nutty flavor)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (to balance sweetness)
- 2 cups all-purpose cake flour
- 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
Gather these ingredients to ensure a successful baking experience that brings the taste of Panera Bread right to your home.
How to Make Panera Bread Sugar Cookie Recipe Directions
Let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions for making these delightful sugar cookies. Follow each step carefully to ensure your cookies come out perfectly every time.
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating is crucial as it ensures that your cookies bake evenly and achieve that lovely golden color.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine your softened unsalted butter and confectioners’ sugar. Using either a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the mixture, giving your cookies that delightful texture. It typically takes about 3-5 minutes to reach the desired consistency.
Step 3: Add Flavorings and Mix
Once your butter and sugar are creamed, it’s time to add the flavorings. Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt to your mixture. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are well incorporated into the butter and sugar. The aroma of the extracts will fill your kitchen, creating excitement for what’s ahead!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your cake flour and baking powder. This ensures that the baking powder is evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is important for achieving a nice rise in your cookies. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet mixture, mixing on a low speed until everything is well blended. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Scoop the Dough
Now it’s time to scoop out the cookie dough. You can use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to portion out each cookie. Place the cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them as they will spread while baking.
Step 6: Add the Sugar Topping
To give your cookies a lovely finishing touch, sprinkle a little extra confectioners’ sugar on top of each dough ball before baking. This will create a sweet crust and enhance the visual appeal of your cookies.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Place your baking sheets in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Remember, cookies continue to cook a bit after you take them out of the oven, so avoid overbaking them. Allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Panera Bread Sugar Cookie Recipe
Serving your freshly baked sugar cookies can be a delightful experience. Consider arranging them on a decorative plate and dusting with a touch more confectioners’ sugar for a beautiful presentation. These cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual coffee date or a special celebration. You could also pair them with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of tea for a comforting treat. If you’re feeling creative, you can decorate these cookies with icing to match specific themes—think vibrant colors for birthdays or pastel tones for spring celebrations!
Expert Tips: Panera Bread Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Quality Butter Matters: Using high-quality unsalted butter will enhance the flavor of your cookies significantly. Avoid margarine, as it can affect the texture.
- Don’t Skip the Chilling: If you have time, consider chilling the cookie dough for about 30 minutes before scooping. This helps prevent spreading and gives you thicker cookies.
- Avoid Overmixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies instead of tender ones.
- Experiment with Toppings: Feel free to add mini chocolate chips, colored sprinkles, or chopped nuts to your sugar cookie dough for a unique twist that suits your taste.
- Watch Your Bake Time: Each oven is different, so keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. It’s better to underbake slightly than to overbake—trust your instincts!
How to Store Panera Bread Sugar Cookie Recipe
Once your cookies have cooled completely, it’s essential to store them properly to maintain freshness. Place the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They can usually last about five days without losing their delightful flavor. If you’d like to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until they are solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. You can thaw them at room temperature whenever you’re ready for a sweet treat!
Variation of Panera Bread Sugar Cookie Recipe
While this sugar cookie recipe is excellent on its own, there are numerous ways you can personalize it to fit your taste. Here are a few variations to consider:
- Lemon Zest: Add the zest of one lemon to the dough for a refreshing citrus flavor that brightens your cookies.
- Chocolate Chip Version: Fold in a cup of mini chocolate chips for a sweet twist that chocolate lovers will adore.
- Sprinkle Cookies: Before baking, roll the cookie dough balls in colored sprinkles to add festivity and color for special occasions.
- Nutty Flour Substitution: Swap out a half cup of cake flour for almond flour for a nuttier flavor and subtle texture change.
- Frosted Sugar Cookies: After the cookies have cooled, top them with a simple frosting made from powdered sugar, milk, and a dash of vanilla.
FAQ: Panera Bread Sugar Cookie Recipe
What makes this Panera Bread sugar cookie recipe stand out?
This recipe captures the signature flavor and texture of Panera Bread’s cookies, featuring rich butter, vanilla, and almond extracts for a unique sweetness. The combination of cake flour and confectioners’ sugar creates an incredibly tender cookie that melts in your mouth.
How should I store my leftover sugar cookies?
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last about five days. Alternatively, freeze them in a single layer and then place them in a freezer-safe bag for longer storage.
Can I add additional flavors to the sugar cookies?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with flavorings by adding lemon zest, different extracts, or even a touch of spice like cinnamon for a unique twist.
How do I know when my cookies are fully baked?
Cookies are finished when the edges are lightly golden, and the centers look slightly underbaked. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
Can this cookie dough be refrigerated before baking?
Yes! Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before scooping can help prevent spreading and result in thicker, chewier cookies.
With this comprehensive guide to making Panera Bread’s sugar cookies, you can recreate this beloved treat anytime you crave a taste of that café-style sweetness. Enjoy your baking adventure!
Panera Bread Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature) Using high-quality butter enhances flavor.
- 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar Use for sweetness and texture.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Gives the cookies their distinctive flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract Adds a nutty flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt Balances sweetness.
- 2 cups all-purpose cake flour Use cake flour for a lighter texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Ensures the cookies rise properly.
For Topping and Serving
- additional to taste confectioners’ sugar Sprinkle on top before baking.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine softened unsalted butter and confectioners’ sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together cake flour and baking powder. Gradually add to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until well blended.
- Scoop the cookie dough using a cookie scoop or tablespoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Sprinkle additional confectioners’ sugar on top of each dough ball.
Baking
- Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Send me this recipe!
Just enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox!