The Best Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25mins | 24 Cookies
When you think about classic desserts, sugar cookies always come to mind. They’re soft, buttery, lightly sweet, and incredibly easy to customize. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a birthday party, or simply craving something sweet, sugar cookies are the perfect choice.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to make delicious sugar cookies that taste amazing and hold their shape beautifully.
What Makes Sugar Cookies So Popular?
Sugar cookies are loved because they’re:
Easy to make: You only need basic ingredients like butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla.
Versatile: Decorate them with sprinkles, frosting, or royal icing.
Perfect for any season: Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, birthdays they fit every occasion.
Kid-friendly: Children enjoy helping cut shapes and decorating.
Another reason sugar cookies are so popular is that they store well. You can bake them ahead of time for busy events or holidays.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
ÂĽ teaspoon salt
These ingredients are simple, and you likely have most of them at home. The combination of butter and sugar creates the soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture sugar cookies are known for.
Directions
1. Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by beating the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step adds air to the dough, giving the cookies a soft texture.
2. Add Egg and Vanilla
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredients.
4. Chill the Dough
This step is very important. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps them keep their shape.
5. Roll and Cut
Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface. Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes hearts, stars, trees, or circles.
6. Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes. Remove the cookies when the edges are set but not browned. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
Tips for the Softest Sugar Cookies
If you want your sugar cookies to turn out perfect every time, follow these simple tips:
âś” Do not overbake
The key to soft cookies is removing them from the oven early. Even if they look slightly pale, they will firm up.
âś” Use room-temperature butter
Cold butter won’t mix well, while melted butter creates greasy cookies. Room-temperature butter is perfect.
âś” Chill the dough
This step helps your cookies hold their shape and stay soft on the inside.
âś” Measure flour correctly
Too much flour leads to dry cookies. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup instead of scooping.
âś” Use quality vanilla
Good vanilla extract gives sugar cookies their classic flavor.
Variations of Classic Sugar Cookies
If you want to make your sugar cookies more exciting, try these ideas:
- Lemon Sugar Cookies : Add lemon zest and a tablespoon of lemon juice for a refreshing twist.
- Almond Sugar Cookies : Replace half the vanilla with almond extract for a bakery-style flavor.
- Brown Sugar Cookies : Use half granulated sugar and half brown sugar for a deeper caramel taste.
- Colored Sugar Cookies : Add a few drops of food coloring to the dough for themed events like Halloween or Christmas.
Nutrition Facts
*Per serving (1 cookie)
- Calories120 kcal
- Protein1 g
- Carbohydrates15 g
- Fat6 g
- Saturated Fat3.5 g
- Cholesterol20 mg
- Sodium45 mg
- Fiber0 g
- Sugar7 g
FAQ's on Smash Burgers
1. Can I freeze sugar cookie dough?
Yes! Roll the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before using.
2. How long do sugar cookies last?
Sugar cookies stay fresh for 1 week in an airtight container.
3. Why did my sugar cookies spread?
You may have skipped chilling the dough or used butter that was too soft.
4. Can I make sugar cookies without cookie cutters?
Absolutely. Roll the dough into balls and press gently with a glass to flatten.
Final Thoughts
Sugar cookies are simple, classic, and always satisfying. Whether you’re a beginner baker or someone who loves homemade treats, these cookies are a must-try. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for sharing. With the tips in this guide, you can bake sugar cookies that are soft, flavorful, and impossible to resist.
Â
