Rich and buttery Cracked Sugar Cookies get their name from the way the tops crack after baking. They are soft and chewy with a bit of a crisp exterior.
Preheat oven to 350℉. Lightly grease cookies sheets or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
Cream the sugar and butter until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the yolks and vanilla.
Sift the dry ingredients together, then add to the batter in 4 parts, mixing well after each addition. Add the last remaining cup 1/4 cup at a time until the dough will easily roll into a ball. If too much flour is added, the cookie will not flatten out while baking.
Form dough into balls or use a 2 tablespoon ice cream scoop to form cookies. Roll in the extra 1/2 cup sugar and place on prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for approximately 10-13 minutes. Cool cookies on a wire rack. Makes 3 dozen cookies
These chewy soft sugar cookies can be baked perfectly the very first time they are made. I have found a few tricks to make that happen.