Here’s a traditional Washboard Cookies recipe 🍪 — simple, old-fashioned, and named for the ridged pattern pressed on top.
Washboard Cookies
Makes: about 2 dozen
Time: ~30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven
350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. - Cream butter & sugar
Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. - Add egg & vanilla
Mix until fully incorporated. - Combine dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually mix into wet ingredients until dough forms. - Shape cookies
Roll dough into 1½-inch balls and place on baking sheet.
Flatten slightly and press ridges on top using a fork or dough scraper (to resemble a washboard). - Bake
Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. - Cool
Let cookies cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Helpful Tips
- For extra crunch, sprinkle tops with sugar before baking.
- Press the ridges gently so cookies don’t spread too much.
- These cookies firm up as they cool.
If you’d like, I can also share a soft chewy washboard cookie, a peanut butter version, or an Amish-style vintage recipe.
