Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line 2 to 3 baking sheets with parchment paper—baking may need to be done in batches depending on your oven’s capacity.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla on high speed. Continue mixing until the texture becomes light and fluffy, a process that incorporates air for a tender crumb. An electric hand mixer can also be used for this step if preferred.

Crack in the egg and mix until fully incorporated, ensuring the batter remains smooth and cohesive.

In a separate bowl, sift the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and baking soda together. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed butter mixture, blending on low speed just until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can toughen the cookies, so a gentle hand is key.

Pour a small amount of granulated sugar into a shallow bowl for rolling.

Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop (roughly 45g of dough per scoop), portion out dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets. Start with spacing six cookies per sheet to gauge their spread during baking, increasing to eight per sheet if space permits on subsequent batches.

Roll each dough portion between your palms to form smooth spheres, then roll them generously in the granulated sugar. Place the sugared dough balls back on the baking sheets, leaving ample room between each one for expansion.

Bake the cookies for 11 to 12 minutes, or until they appear puffy with set edges and slightly soft centers. The cookies will firm up as they cool. Remove from the oven and let them cool directly on the baking sheets for about 10 minutes, allowing them to settle and develop their signature chewy texture. Afterward, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Continue the process with any remaining dough, ensuring each batch is freshly scooped and rolled just before baking for consistent texture.

Once fully cooled, store the vanilla cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their delicate crisp edges and tender centers.