Description
Celebrate the Class of 2026 with these easy, buttery graduation cookies—perfect for parties, gifts, or a sweet treat after the ceremony.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (312 g) all‑purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: ½ cup (75 g) chopped walnuts or pecans
- Optional: ¼ cup (30 g) dried cranberries or raisins
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the softened butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy—about 2 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
- Add the egg and vanilla to the creamed mixture. Beat until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms. If you’re adding nuts or dried fruit, fold them in now.
- Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, drop rounded mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Gently press each mound with the back of a fork to create a subtle criss‑cross pattern—this helps the cookies bake evenly.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers look set.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, arrange them in a clear bag or a decorative tin. Add a small note that says, “Congratulations, Class of 2026!” for a personal touch.
Notes
- Use room‑temperature butter; it cremates better and gives a richer flavor.
- Don’t overmix the dough after adding the flour—overworking can make the cookies tough.
- If you prefer a chewier cookie, bake for 9 minutes; for a crispier finish, bake for 13 minutes.
- For a festive look, sprinkle a pinch of edible gold dust on the tops before baking.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature; add a slice of apple or a few crackers to absorb excess moisture and keep them crisp.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: graduation cookies 2026