The last time I put a secret ingredient in sugar cookies, it was pudding mix. This time it’s something different. It's pineapple extract! Not a lot – just a few drops or enough to add a tiny bit of flavor to the cookies. I got the idea from a reader in California who thought pineapple extract might be the secret ingredient in Potbelly sugar cookies. To date, neither of us has cracked the Potbelly recipe, but I think we’re both enjoying our new extract.
Pineapple Extract
Pineapple extract might not be as common as vanilla, but it's used more often than you think in culinary applications thanks to its fruity aroma. And it's not necessarily always in pineapple flavored things. In some cases it's just mixed with other flavorings to form new flavors. I first discovered it while vacationing in The Cayman Islands where some ladies told me they used it in banana bread. I bought some there, then bought more later online from Watkins. In sugar cookies, the extract just adds "that little something".
Imperial Sugar Cookie Recipe
As for the base sugar cookie recipe, it came right off the Imperial Sugar bag. The first ingredient is Butter Flavor Crisco, which caught my eye because I recently had some bakery cookies which I was positive were made with butter flavored shortening, but which I liked in spite of that. Like the pineapple extract, the butter flavored shortening is not always the greatest flavor alone. However, when mixed with other flavors it transcends! The texture of these cookies is irresistibly crispy and light. In fact, I need to go hide the rest of the cookies from myself so that Fuzz can have one for a snack.
Recipe
Another Secret Ingredient Sugar Cookie
Ingredients
- 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter flavored Crisco
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon pineapple extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 ½ cups 5.5 ounces bleached flour (unbleached okay) (11 oz or 308 grams)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or parchment paper.
- With an electric mixer, beat the Crisco and the sugar until creamy. Beat in the water and egg. Beat in the vanilla and the pineapple extract. Scrape sides of bowl. Add the salt, baking soda and cream of tartar and stir until blended. Add the flour and stir just until blended.
- Shape the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter and arrange on the baking sheet. Press down with bottom of a spice jar or shot glass. Sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake 11-12 minutes or until the cookies just start to turn brown around the edges
Kelly
Interesting. Gotta love a wacky secret ingredient. My current favorite recipe is the confetti cookie recipe from Momofuku Milk Bar. I've made them twice already (which is a lot of someone who rarely makes anything twice) and I think I'm in love.
Kristin
YUM! I wish I could get my hands on some pineapple extract! I'll have to keep my eyes peeled! These cookies sound DE.LISH!!!
Lynne
U can buy natural pineapple flavor from the kimg arthur flour website.
Katrina
Adam, Walmart now carries most (or a lot) of the Watkins extracts, pure and imitation.
Anna--eh, you just want to try a different brand of extract so you can make the cookies again. 😉 jk Would have never thought of pineapple extract, hmmm.
Anna
Karen, the dough is easy to work with. I chilled it for a day and while I didn't try it as cut-outs, I think it would be pretty easy to break off sections and roll it out. But I like the rounds!
The Watkins pineapple extract is pretty strong and a little bit goes a long way. I may buy a different brand just for comparison.
Karen
I love that you don't have to roll out the sugar cookies. For some reason, rolling and cut out cookies and I do NOT get along. Ha.
I should get the GOOD quality pineapple extract. I have a very cheap brand and can not tell that I am using it. Phooey.
Gloria
I'm glad those cookies are not at my house or they would be gone..sugar cookies are some of my favorites! Love the "secret" ingredient!
Sue
That is an interesting secret ingredient. The cookies sound as if they're irresistable! Hope Fuzz likes them too!
Jersey Girl Cooks
Interesting secret ingredient. I am sure they are delicious like all your cookies are.
dani @ yellebellyboo
Very interesting! Just might have to order pineapple extract from Amazon - or wonder if they have it at Sur la Table!
Adam
I'm all about Crisco in cookies now, the texture it gives is terrific. I'm interested to try a sugar cookie with it, especially since the texture your describing reminds me of the other "Secret Ingredient" recipe. AKA: Best Ever :).
And curse you and your fancy extracts :).