I just pulled these delicate lace cookies out of the oven, and I can’t stop staring at them! The way they spread into these intricate, paper-thin webs of caramel goodness is pure kitchen magic.
They’re crispy and irresistibly golden, perfectly balancing sweetness and crunch.
My grandmother always made these, and I’m so happy to have perfected her recipe.
These beauties are destined for my holiday cookie box, but they might not make it past tonight’s tea time!
Why You’ll Love These Lace Cookies
Delicate Crunch: There’s nothing more satisfying than biting into one of these ultra-crisp cookies. The snap and crunch are audible, and once bitten, the cookies practically melt in your mouth.
Visual Appeal: The cookies feature an intricate, lace-like pattern. It makes them look simply stunning.
Versatile: You can enjoy these cookies on their own or use them as a garnish for ice cream and other desserts. You can even stack, wrap, and gift them for a gorgeous, tasty present.
Buttery Bliss: You’ll love the rich, caramelized butter flavor with just a hint of vanilla. They’re sweet, indulgent, and addictive.
Ingredients
- Quick-Cooking Oats: This is the star ingredient in these cookies. They add texture and a nutty flavor. Perhaps more importantly, they give the cookies their signature look.
- All-Purpose Flour: You won’t need much, just a little over 2 tablespoons. Just enough to help the dainty cookies hold their shape.
- Granulated Sugar: For sweetness, of course! The sugar also helps create crisp, caramelized edges.
- Salt: A depth-providing flavor enhancer to balance the sweetness.
- Egg: It holds everything together and adds texture.
- Butter: For richness and a comforting, buttery flavor. It also helps ensure the cookies spread into their ultra-thin shapes.
- Vanilla Extract: A final warm, aromatic touch. Use real vanilla (not imitation) for the best flavor.
How to Make Lace Cookies
If you’re worried about the design, don’t be! It happens naturally. Baking these cookies is as easy as any other cookie recipe.
1. Get ready. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with aluminum, ensuring the shiny side is facing up.
2. Make the batter. Whisk the oats, flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Then, melt the butter in a second bowl. Let it cool slightly, then stir in the beaten egg and vanilla. Finally, pour the second mixture into the first and fold together gently.
3. Portion and bake. Drop 1/2 teaspoon portions of batter onto the baking sheets, leaving 3 inches between each. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, monitoring the entire process closely.
4. Cool. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets. Be sure to let them cool fully before touching them.
5. Remove and store. Once the cookies are completely cooled, carefully peel them from the foil. Enjoy immediately, storing leftovers in an air-tight container to retain crispness.
Tips for the Best Lace Cookies
Keep these tips in mind for lace cookie perfection.
- Be precise. Everything, from the flour to the batter dollops, should be accurate. If anything is off, even slightly, the cookies won’t spread like they should.
- Give them some space. If you place the cookies too close together, they’ll spread into one another. Remember, they spread quite a bit more than the average cookie.
- Keep a watchful eye. Because these cookies are so thin, they can burn quickly and without warning. Watch them closely the entire time they bake, which should only be between 6 and 8 minutes.
- Try fun variations. My favorite variation is to let the cookies bake and cool. Then, drizzle them in melted chocolate. OMG. Soooo good. You can also experiment with different extracts or citrus zests in the batter.
- Serve them your way. As I said, I enjoy these cookies with a mug of hot tea. (Or coffee, if you’re so inclined.) You can also serve them alongside ice cream, mousse, or fresh fruit. Or crumble them over yogurt or oatmeal for a crunchy topping.
How to Store
Storage for these tasty treats is simple.
To Store: Place the cookies in an air-tight container, separating the layers with parchment paper. Store at room temperature for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: Arrange the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid. Then, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. (Separate layers with parchment paper while freezing, too.)
Lace Cookies
24
servings15
minutes8
minutes83
kcalThese lace cookies are sweet, delicate, and such a treat! The crispy texture simply can’t be topped. Whip up a batch today!
Ingredients
1 cup quick-cooking oats, uncooked
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with aluminum foil, shiny side up.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, sugar, and salt until evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, melt the butter and let it cool slightly. Add the beaten egg and vanilla extract to the melted butter, stirring to combine.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir together gently until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Using a 1/2 teaspoon measure, drop small portions of batter onto the prepared baking sheets. Ensure each dollop is at least 3 inches apart, as these cookies will spread significantly.
- Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Keep a close eye on them, as they can quickly go from perfect to overdone. The cookies are ready when the edges turn golden brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheets. This cooling process is crucial for the cookies to set properly.
- Once fully cooled, carefully peel the cookies from the foil. Store in an airtight container to maintain crispness. Enjoy!
