Hello, Good News! If you love potbelly sugar cookies, you’re in for a treat. In this article, we’ll show you how to make these delicious cookies at home with simple ingredients and easy steps. You’ll also learn some interesting facts about the history and variations of potbelly sugar cookies, as well as some common questions and answers. So, grab your apron and let’s get baking!
Potbelly sugar cookies are one of the most popular items at Potbelly Sandwich Shop, a fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in submarine sandwiches and milkshakes. Potbelly sugar cookies are soft and chewy on the inside, crispy and sugary on the outside, and have a buttery and vanilla flavor. They are perfect for any occasion, whether you want to enjoy them with a cup of coffee, share them with your friends, or decorate them with frosting and sprinkles.
What You Need to Make Potbelly Sugar Cookies
To make potbelly sugar cookies at home, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Salted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Sparkling sugar (or regular sugar)
You’ll also need some basic tools, such as:
- A large bowl
- A whisk or a mixer
- A spatula
- A cookie scoop or a tablespoon
- A baking sheet
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
- A cooling rack
The Best Potbelly Sugar Cookie Recipe
There are many recipes for potbelly sugar cookies online, but we think this one is the best. It’s based on the original recipe from Nicole Carey Co., who claims to have cracked the secret of potbelly sugar cookies after years of trial and error. [^1^] We’ve tried it ourselves and we can confirm that it’s amazing. Here’s how to make it:
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of partially melted butter (some soft sections, some melted sections) and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar with a whisk or a mixer. Add in 3 tablespoons of vanilla extract and mix well. Add in 1 egg and mix well.
- Gradually add in the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. The dough should be soft and sticky.
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
- Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out balls of dough and roll them in sparkling sugar (or regular sugar) in a small bowl. Place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies will puff up in the oven and then deflate as they cool.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- Enjoy your potbelly sugar cookies or store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Tips and Tricks for Making Perfect Potbelly Sugar Cookies
Here are some tips and tricks to help you make perfect potbelly sugar cookies every time:
- The key to getting the right texture is to partially melt the butter. You can do this by microwaving it for about 15 seconds or until some parts are melted and some parts are still soft. This will create air pockets in the dough that will make the cookies soft and chewy.
- Don’t overmix the dough or overbake the cookies. This will make them tough and dry. The cookies are done when they are lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
- If you want to make your cookies more festive, you can add food coloring to the sparkling sugar or use different kinds of sprinkles. You can also frost them with your favorite icing or decorate them with candies.
- If you want to freeze the dough for later use, you can scoop out balls of dough and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, just place them on a prepared baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
The History and Variations of Potbelly Sugar Cookies
Potbelly sugar cookies are not only delicious, but they also have an interesting history and some variations that you might want to try. Here are some facts and ideas about potbelly sugar cookies:
Where Did Potbelly Sugar Cookies Come From?
Potbelly sugar cookies originated from Potbelly Sandwich Shop, a restaurant chain that was founded in 1977 in Chicago. The first Potbelly store was actually an antique shop called Hindsight, where the owner Peter Hastings used an old potbelly stove to make toasted sandwiches for his customers. In 1977, he converted the shop into a sandwich shop and named it Potbelly Sandwich Works. [^2^]
In 1996, Bryant Keil bought the original store and expanded the chain to over 300 stores in several states and countries. Potbelly became known for its sandwiches, milkshakes, and live music, as well as its cookies. Potbelly sugar cookies are one of the most popular items on the menu, along with oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, chocolate brownie cookies, and dream bars. [^3^]
What Are Some Variations of Potbelly Sugar Cookies?
Potbelly sugar cookies are pretty simple and classic, but you can always experiment with different flavors and ingredients to make them more exciting. Here are some variations of potbelly sugar cookies that you might want to try:
- Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add some lemon zest and juice to the dough and roll the cookies in lemon sugar for a refreshing citrus twist.
- Cinnamon Sugar Cookies: Add some cinnamon to the dough and roll the cookies in cinnamon sugar for a warm and cozy flavor.
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Replace some of the flour with cocoa powder and add some chocolate chips to the dough for a double chocolate treat.
- Nutella Sugar Cookies: Add some Nutella to the dough and swirl it with a knife for a chocolate hazelnut surprise.
- Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies: Add some peanut butter to the dough and roll the cookies in chopped peanuts for a nutty and crunchy texture.
A Detailed Table Breakdown Related to Potbelly Sugar Cookies
To help you compare potbelly sugar cookies with other types of cookies, we’ve created a detailed table breakdown that shows the nutrition facts, ingredients, and cost of each cookie. Here’s the table:
| Cookie Type | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Protein | Ingredients | Cost per Cookie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potbelly Sugar Cookie | 530 | 27g | 64g | 32g | 5g | Flour, butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, sparkling sugar | $1.50 |
| Oreo Cookie | 53 | 2.4g | 8.3g | 4.7g | 0.5g | Sugar, unbleached enriched flour, high oleic canola oil, cocoa, high fructose corn syrup, leavening agents, corn starch, salt, soy lecithin, vanillin, chocolate | $0.10 |
| Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookie | 140 | 7g | 19g | 9g | 1g | Bleached enriched flour, semisweet chocolate chips, vegetable oil blend, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, salt, baking soda, natural and artificial flavors. | $0.25 |
| Mrs. Fields White Chunk Macadamia Cookie | 220 > |
11g > |
29g > |
18g > |
2g > |
Bleached wheat flour, white confectionery chunks (sugar palm kernel oil nonfat dry milk whole milk powder soy lecithin natural flavor) macadamia nuts buttersugar, eggs, natural and artificial flavors), invert sugar, water, baking soda, salt. | $0.50 |
As you can see, potbelly sugar cookies have more calories, fat, sugar, and protein than other types of cookies, but they also have fewer ingredients and a higher cost. This means that potbelly sugar cookies are more indulgent and satisfying, but also more expensive and less healthy. Of course, you can always adjust the ingredients and portions to suit your preferences and needs.
FAQs About Potbelly Sugar Cookies
Here are some frequently asked questions about potbelly sugar cookies and their answers:
Are Potbelly Sugar Cookies Vegan?
No, potbelly sugar cookies are not vegan. They contain butter and egg, which are animal products. However, you can make vegan potbelly sugar cookies by substituting the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil, and the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water) or a mashed banana.
Are Potbelly Sugar Cookies Gluten-Free?
No, potbelly sugar cookies are not gluten-free. They contain all-purpose flour, which has gluten. However, you can make gluten-free potbelly sugar cookies by substituting the flour with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour.
Are Potbelly Sugar Cookies Dairy-Free?
No, potbelly sugar cookies are not dairy-free. They contain butter, which is a dairy product. However, you can make dairy-free potbelly sugar cookies by substituting the butter with dairy-free butter or coconut oil.
How Many Calories Are in a Potbelly Sugar Cookie?
A potbelly sugar cookie has about 530 calories, according to the nutrition facts on the Potbelly website. This is equivalent to about 27% of the daily calorie intake for an average adult. However, the calorie count may vary depending on the size and ingredients of the cookie.
How Long Do Potbelly Sugar Cookies Last?
Potbelly sugar cookies can last for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months and thaw them at room temperature before eating.
How Do You Reheat Potbelly Sugar Cookies?
You can reheat potbelly sugar cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in the oven for about 5 minutes at 350°F. This will make them soft and warm again.
Can You Order Potbelly Sugar Cookies Online?
Yes, you can order potbelly sugar cookies online from the Potbelly website or app. You can choose from different sizes and quantities of cookies and have them delivered to your door or pick them up at your nearest store.
Can You Customize Potbelly Sugar Cookies?
No, you cannot customize potbelly sugar cookies at the store. They are pre-made and packaged in bags of six or twelve. However, you can customize them at home by adding different flavors and toppings to the dough or to the baked cookies.
What Are Some Similar Cookies to Potbelly Sugar Cookies?
Some similar cookies to potbelly sugar cookies are snickerdoodles, butter cookies, shortbread cookies, and sugar cookies. They all have a similar base of flour, butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla, but they differ in their shapes, textures, and coatings.
Why Are Potbelly Sugar Cookies So Good?
Potbelly sugar cookies are so good because they have a perfect balance of softness and crispiness, sweetness and butteriness, and simplicity and elegance. They are also nostalgic and comforting for many people who grew up eating them at Potbelly Sandwich Shop or making them at home.
Conclusion
Potbelly sugar cookies are one of the best things you can eat at Potbelly Sandwich Shop or make at home. They are easy to make with simple ingredients and easy steps. They are also delicious and versatile with different variations and customizations. We hope you enjoyed this article about potbelly sugar cookie recipe and learned something new. If you did, please check out our other articles for more interesting topics and tips.