The Easiest & Sweetest Sugar Cookies Recipe Ever Made

Sweet memories often bloom around these delightful sugar cookies that can brighten any afternoon.

Soft and pillowy, they melt in your mouth with surprising elegance.

The kitchen quickly fills with warm, buttery aromas that dance through every corner.

Baking these treats connects you to generations of home cooks who perfected simple pleasines.

Crisp edges and tender centers create a delectable contrast that keeps people coming back for more.

Kids adore helping mix and shape these classic cookies, turning preparation into a fun family moment.

You’ll love how quickly these come together with just a handful of pantry ingredients.

Grab a glass of milk and get ready to savor pure, sweet comfort.

Tasty Changes To Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

• Zesty Citrus Cookies: Replace vanilla extract with fresh lemon or orange zest, adding a bright, tangy flavor to the classic sugar cookie. Dust with powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
• Chocolate Chip Classic: Fold in 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips into the dough before scooping. This simple addition transforms the basic sugar cookie into a crowd-pleasing chocolate chip version.
• Festive Sprinkle Sugar Cookies: Mix colorful sprinkles directly into the dough or roll cookie balls in sprinkles before baking. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or adding a playful touch to your dessert.
• Almond Crunch Edition: Incorporate 1/2 cup of finely chopped almonds into the dough and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking. Creates a nutty, crunchy texture that elevates the traditional sugar cookie.

FAQs For Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

• Can I make these sugar cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Just bring the dough to room temperature before scooping and baking.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these cookies?

Not at all! A basic hand mixer or stand mixer works great, but you can even mix by hand with a wooden spoon if needed. A simple cookie scoop helps create uniform cookies, but a tablespoon works just fine.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and slightly soft centers. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem a bit underbaked when you first take them out of the oven.

• Can I add decorations to these sugar cookies?

Definitely! You can sprinkle sugar on top before baking, or decorate with simple icing after they’ve cooled completely. Colored sugar or small sprinkles work wonderfully to add a fun touch to these classic cookies.

Why Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe Feels So Classic

• Create Effortless Delights: These sugar cookies are ridiculously simple to make, requiring minimal baking skills and basic pantry ingredients anyone can handle.
• Whip Up Quick Treats: The entire recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for spontaneous baking moments or last-minute dessert cravings.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Soft, buttery, and universally loved, these cookies are ideal for family gatherings, school events, or casual weekend snacking that brings everyone together.
• Customize with Ease: The basic recipe serves as a blank canvas for creative bakers, allowing simple decorations like sprinkles, frosting, or different extracts to transform the classic cookie.

What You’ll Use For Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

Main Ingredients:

Butter and Sugar: – Unsalted Butter, Granulated Sugar: The foundation for sweet, rich cookie texture. Soft butter helps create a smooth, creamy base. Choose high-quality, fresh butter for best flavor.

Flour Mixture: – All-Purpose Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Salt: Provides structure and helps cookies rise. Ensure flour is fresh and properly measured for consistent results. Sifting helps remove lumps.

Binding Ingredients: – Large Egg, Vanilla Extract: Adds moisture, binding, and deep flavor. Fresh eggs create better texture. Pure vanilla extract offers superior taste compared to imitation.

Simple Steps For Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C). Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper for a smooth cookie-making adventure.

Step 2: Whip Up Butter And Sugar

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and transform butter and sugar into a cloud-like, fluffy dream. Use an electric mixer and beat until the mixture looks light and dreamy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Introduce Egg And Flavor Booster

Drop in the egg and vanilla extract. Blend everything until it becomes a smooth, happy mixture that looks completely combined.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Whisk these ingredients together, then gently fold into the wet mixture. Stir until everything just comes together – no overmixing!

Step 5: Shape Cookie Soldiers

Scoop adorable dollops of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread and dance.

Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the sheets into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Watch for edges turning a beautiful golden color. The centers might look slightly soft – that’s exactly what you want!

Step 7: Cool Down And Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a quick 2-minute breather. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Get ready to munch on some heavenly treats!

Best Tips For Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

• Butter Softening Secret: Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the perfect soft texture for effortless creaming.
• Precise Measuring Hack: Use the spoon-and-level method for flour to prevent dense, heavy cookies and ensure a light, tender result.
• Temperature Control Trick: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are just golden, as they'll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet for that ideal soft center.
• Mix Minimally Technique: Stop mixing dry and wet ingredients the moment they combine to prevent tough, chewy cookies and maintain a delicate crumb.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

How To Keep Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe Fresh

• Preserve your delightful sugar cookies by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Keep the container in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight to maintain their soft texture and delicious flavor.
• Separate cookie layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve their perfect shape.
• These cookies stay fresh for up to 5-7 days, making them a wonderful make-ahead treat for family gatherings or unexpected sweet cravings.
• Freezing works magic for longer storage – place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper, and they'll stay delicious for up to 3 months.
• When ready to enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, and they'll taste just as scrumptious as the day you baked them.

Great Matches For Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

• Sip Creamy Milk Pairing: Classic sugar cookies taste incredibly delightful when paired with cold, fresh whole milk that balances the sweetness and provides a smooth, comforting contrast.
• Match Warm Chai Latte: A spiced chai latte complements these sugar cookies perfectly, with its warm aromatic flavors enhancing the buttery, sweet cookie experience and creating a cozy treat.
• Enjoy Vanilla Cappuccino Companion: A light vanilla cappuccino brings out the subtle vanilla notes in the cookies, offering a rich, creamy beverage that elevates the simple sugar cookie's delicate flavor profile.
• Explore Herbal Tea Combination: Mild chamomile or lavender tea provides a delicate, soothing backdrop that wonderfully highlights the sugar cookie's gentle sweetness without overwhelming its subtle taste.

Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Homemade Sugar Cookies bring classic comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending simple ingredients with sweet memories. Crisp edges and delicate centers invite bakers of all skill levels to create delightful treats that spark joy with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2.25 cups (510 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226 grams/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1.5 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Create a creamy base by vigorously whipping softened butter and sugar together using a hand mixer until the mixture becomes light, airy, and forms a smooth texture.
3. Enhance the flavor profile by gently incorporating the egg and vanilla extract, stirring until the ingredients are seamlessly blended and create a uniform mixture.
4. In a separate mixing vessel, thoroughly combine the dry ingredients – flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt – using a whisk to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
5. Gradually introduce the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, folding carefully to prevent overmixing and maintain the cookies’ delicate texture.
6. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, carefully deposit rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately 2 inches of spacing between each cookie.
7. Place the cookie-laden sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for a delicate golden hue along the edges while allowing the centers to remain slightly soft.
8. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet for a brief 2-minute period to stabilize their structure.
9. Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack, permitting them to cool completely and develop their final texture and flavor characteristics.

Notes

• Soften butter at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to ensure smooth, even creaming without over-mixing.
• Use room temperature egg to help ingredients blend more uniformly and create a smoother cookie texture.
• Avoid overmixing the dough after adding flour to prevent tough, dense cookies; stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring cookies remain tender and light.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain a perfect round shape.
• Customize by adding sprinkles, rolling in colored sugar, or pressing a light imprint on top before baking for visual appeal.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg