Janz Crackly Sugar Cookies Recipe

• 2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 T vanilla
• 1/2 t kosher salt
• 2 1/2 C bread flour
• 1 t baking soda
• 1/2 t cream of tartar
• 1/4 cup sugar (sanding or granulated) for rolling cookies

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange the rack in the middle. Combine butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and mix on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl sides and bottom. A stand blender would be nice, but a hand mixer works too.
2. Combine egg yolks and vanilla and add to butter & sugar mixture. Beat another minute or so until ingredients are combined.
3. Combine remaining dry ingredients: flour, baking soda & cream of tartar. Add to butter mixture about 1/2 cup at a time until all is blended. When the hand mixer slows to almost a stop, it’s done.
4. Scoop dough out a measured teaspoon at a time and roll it into a ball. Roll several at a time and put them in a bowl with the remaining quarter cup of sugar. When the bowl gets crowded, roll them in the sugar and place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
5. Roll dough in remaining sugar to coat, and place on parchment-paper-lined baking sheets. Bake cookies about 16 minutes until they are slightly golden around the edges. Immediately transfer to a rack to cool completely.