If you have a sweet tooth and love a classic treat that never goes out of style, you’re absolutely going to adore The Best Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies strike the perfect balance between crispy edges and soft centers, delivering a buttery, vanilla-infused bite every single time. Whether you’re baking for a festive occasion or simply craving a warm, nostalgic dessert, this recipe brings simplicity, flavor, and timeless delight all together in one irresistible batch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is like collecting little gems that each play a vital role in making your sugar cookies unforgettable. From the fluffy texture contributed by flour and leavening agents to the subtle sweetness of sugar and the rich creaminess of butter, every component adds something special.
- 2 3/4 cups (344 g) all-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure, ensuring the cookies hold their shape without being tough.
- 1/2 tsp baking powder: Adds just enough lift for a delicate crumb and tenderness.
- 1/2 tsp baking soda: Works alongside the powder to create a light, airy texture.
- 1/2 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor depth throughout the cookie.
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar: Sweetens the dough and contributes to the classic crispness.
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, very softened: Brings richness, moisture, and a melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- 1 egg, at room temperature: Binds everything together and helps create that perfect chew.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with comforting warmth and fragrant aroma.
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar, for rolling: Gives the cookies a delicate sugary coating for added sparkle and texture.
How to Make The Best Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s perfectly heated when your dough is ready. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup. This step sets the stage for cookie perfection.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt by whisking them together. This ensures your leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed, so every cookie rises and tastes just right.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This is where the magic begins — aerating the butter adds tenderness to your cookies that you’ll notice right away in each bite.
Step 4: Add the Egg and Vanilla
To your creamy butter-sugar mixture, add the egg and vanilla extract. Continue mixing at medium speed for about 1 to 2 minutes until the batter turns a pale, fluffy hue. This step enhances both flavor and texture, giving the dough a smooth, ribbon-like consistency.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture while mixing at low speed. Mix just until everything is incorporated — overmixing can make the cookies too dense, so stop as soon as you see no flour streaks.
Step 6: Shape and Sugar Coat the Dough
Scoop out dough balls using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop and roll them gently into smooth balls. Roll each dough ball in the reserved 1/4 cup granulated sugar to give the cookies a lightly crunchy, sparkling finish once baked.
Step 7: Arrange and Flatten Cookies
Place the sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheets with a space of about 2 inches in between to allow spreading. Gently flatten each ball into a circle shape with your hand or the bottom of a glass, aiming for uniform thickness so the cookies bake evenly.
Step 8: Bake and Cool Your Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 10 minutes, allowing the edges to firm up with a hint of golden color while keeping the centers nice and soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Get ready for deliciousness!
How to Serve The Best Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Simple is often best with these sugar cookies, but you can sprinkle additional colored sugars or edible glitter before baking for a festive look. For holidays, dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate or drizzle with royal icing to add both flair and flavor.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of hot cocoa, or even a warm chai tea latte. Their mellow vanilla sweetness balances drinks perfectly, making them an ideal companion for cozy afternoons or celebrations.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gifting, arrange these beauties in layered tins lined with parchment paper or put them in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons. You can also sandwich two cookies together with a layer of buttercream or jam for an extra-special treat everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and fresh for up to a week. Adding a slice of bread inside the container can help maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out too quickly.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking by placing them on a tray lined with parchment, freezing until solid, then transferring to a resealable freezer bag. Bake straight from the freezer by adding a minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies also freeze well in airtight containers for up to three months.
Reheating
If you want to revive your cookies’ fresh-baked warmth, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes. This softens the cookie and restores their delightful texture without over-drying.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid the cookies becoming too salty. Unsalted butter allows better control over the seasoning, but salted butter works in a pinch.
Are these sugar cookies gluten-free?
The recipe as written uses all-purpose wheat flour, which contains gluten. To make gluten-free sugar cookies, you’d need to substitute a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking and possibly tweak the leavening slightly.
How do I make my sugar cookies softer?
To keep your cookies softer, be careful not to overbake and consider slightly increasing the butter or adding a tablespoon of cornstarch to the flour mixture for extra tenderness.
Can I add flavor variations?
Absolutely! Try swapping the vanilla extract for almond or lemon extract for a different twist. You can also mix in finely chopped nuts, sprinkles, or citrus zest to customize your batch.
Why do my sugar cookies spread too much?
Spreading usually happens when the dough is too warm, or the butter is too soft. Chill your dough balls before baking and make sure your oven is properly preheated to help cookies keep their shape.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so wonderfully comforting about baking and savoring The Best Sugar Cookies Recipe. It’s a simple joy that brings everyone together, fills your kitchen with amazing aromas, and delivers scrumptious bites time and time again. I hope you give this recipe a whirl and discover just how delicious these classic cookies can be — your future self will thank you!
Print
The Best Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This recipe for The Best Sugar Cookies yields soft, chewy cookies with a delicate vanilla flavor and a crisp sugar-coated exterior. Perfectly sweet and simple, these cookies are easy to make and ideal for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups (344 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, very softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For Rolling
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar, for rolling dough in
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly combine the leavening agents and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on high speed to cream the very softened butter with 1 cup granulated sugar for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, which adds air for tenderness.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until the batter is pale and fluffy, providing structure and flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed just until all ingredients are combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen cookies.
- Form Dough Balls: Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out dough, rolling each portion into balls. Then roll each dough ball in the 1/4 cup granulated sugar for a crunchy, sweet coating.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the sugar-coated dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets and slightly flatten each ball into a circle as best as you can to promote even baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake 6-8 cookies at a time in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes, until edges are set and lightly golden but centers are still soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving. Enjoy your delicious sugar cookies!
Notes
- Ensure butter is very softened for best creaming results.
- Do not overmix the dough once dry ingredients are added to avoid tough cookies.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Rolling dough in sugar before baking adds a satisfying crunch and sparkle to the cookies.
