Add butter and sugar to the big bowl.

Mix until it looks lighter in color. Fluffy-ish.

Doesn’t have to be smooth like a magazine photo.

If it looks a little uneven… that’s real life.

Add the egg.

Add vanilla.

Mix again.

At this stage, the batter might look slightly broken. Weird. Not smooth.

That’s okay. Keep going.

In the smaller bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.

Slowly add this to the wet mix.

Stir gently.

Don’t dump everything at once — learned that the hard way.

The dough will get thick.

You might pause and think, “Is this right?”

Yes. It is.

Now add whatever makes you happy.

Chocolate chips? Always yes.

Sprinkles? Christmas says yes.

Cinnamon? Warm and cozy.

Fold it in slowly. No rush.

Take small portions. Roll into balls.

Place on a baking tray.

Press lightly with fingers.

Not flat. Just relaxed.

Uneven shapes are welcome here.

Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F.

Bake for 10–12 minutes.

Edges should look done.

Centers should look slightly soft.

Please don’t wait for them to turn brown all over.

That’s how cookies lose their soul.

Let them rest on the tray for a few minutes.

Then move to a rack.

They’ll firm up naturally.

Yes… one warm cookie is mandatory. Non-negotiable.