Pineapple Upside Sugar Cookies (Printable Version)

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cookie Dough Base

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

05 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Pineapple Topping

08 - 10-12 canned pineapple rings, well-drained and patted completely dry
09 - Extra granulated sugar for sprinkling on top

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer.
03 - Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is well combined and smooth.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Roll the dough into balls using about 1 1/2 tablespoons per cookie. Place them on your prepared baking sheets and gently flatten each ball into a disk, leaving plenty of space between cookies.
06 - Top each dough disk with a pineapple ring, pressing it gently into the cookie dough to ensure it stays put during baking.
07 - Sprinkle a little extra sugar on top of each pineapple ring for a caramelized sparkle. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the edges are golden and the cookies are set.
08 - Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes to set up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before storing or serving.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Make sure those pineapple rings are really well-drained and patted dry, or they'll make your cookies soggy.
02 - For crispier edges that have that perfect golden color, bake for an extra 1-2 minutes.
03 - Want that classic upside-down cake look? Pop a maraschino cherry in the center of each pineapple ring before baking.
04 - Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days, though they're best enjoyed within the first 2 days for optimal texture.