Chewy Sugar Cookies

I just made this recipe from Melissa DeBin Parish; they are so good!! Anyone care to share their favorite no-nut cookie recipe??

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup white sugar for decoration

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a larger basin, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time and then the vanilla.
5. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until they are just combined.
6. Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and roll the balls in the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar.
7. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets and flatten slightly.
8. In a hot oven, bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
9. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before moving them to a wire rack to cool all the way.