Name: Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 10 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature (141 grams)); 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar (225 grams); 1 large egg (room temperature); 1 large yolk (room temperature); 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (283 grams); 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt

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Hello friends! These sugar cookies are a classic favorite that brings a delightful sweetness to any occasion. These soft, buttery cookies are incredibly easy to make and are perfect for decorating or simply enjoying on their own. With a tender crumb and a hint of vanilla, each bite melts in your mouth, making them a hit for cookie swaps, holiday gatherings, or as a sweet treat any time of the year.

These cookies do not require chilling time before baking, which makes them incredibly convenient and perfect for when you need a quick, fuss-free treat.

A close-up image of freshly baked sugar cookies piled on top of each other, some resting on a cooling rack. The cookies are golden with a slightly cracked surface, indicating a soft and chewy texture. In the background, there are wooden bowls filled with sugar and decorative elements like candles and jars, enhancing the warm and inviting feel of the baking scene. The image showcases the cookies beautifully, emphasizing their homemade look and classic appeal.

Best Sugar Cookies Recipe

In this post, I’ll guide you through each step of creating this deliciously easy sugar cookie recipe, from the creamy dough to the perfect bake. You’ll find tips for achieving that ideal cookie chewiness, as well as suggestions for fun variations and add-ins to customize your sugar cookies to suit your taste.

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This sugar cookie recipe is a must-try, offering the perfect balance of softness and chewiness.

Whether you’re baking for a festive celebration or just indulging in a cozy afternoon snack, these sugar cookies are sure to become a beloved staple in your dessert repertoire!

A close-up image of a stack of sugar cookies, with the top cookie partially bitten to reveal a soft, tender, and crumbly inside. The cookies have a golden-brown edge and a lighter center, showcasing their chewy texture. They are stacked on a wooden surface, with the focus on their delicious interior and perfect bake. The background is softly blurred, adding to the warm and inviting atmosphere, and a small wooden bowl of sugar is visible in the foreground, emphasizing the homemade feel of these classic cookies.

Sugar Cookie Dough

To make sugar cookies, start by beating the room-temperature butter in a large bowl on medium-high speed with an electric mixer for about one minute until it becomes smooth and creamy. You can also use a stand mixer, just make sure to scrape the sides down frequently.

Next, add in the granulated sugar and continue to beat for an additional two minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Incorporate the whole egg, mixing until just combined, and then scrape the sides of the bowl. Follow this by adding the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.

Panel with 4 images showing the process of making sugar cookies. The first image shows softened butter being mixed in a large white bowl using a hand mixer. The second image depicts sugar being added to the creamed butter. The third image displays the mixture after creaming the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. The fourth image shows the addition of eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, ready to be incorporated. In the background, there are decorative items, such as a pink flower, candles, and jars, adding a cozy and aesthetic touch to the baking scene.

Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.

Panel with 4 images showing the next steps in making sugar cookies. The first image shows the creamed mixture of butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, which has a smooth consistency. The second image depicts the addition of dry ingredients, such as flour, baking powder, and salt, to the bowl. The third image shows the dough beginning to come together after mixing the dry and wet ingredients. The fourth image features a hand holding the bowl steady while a spatula is used to fold and incorporate the remaining dry ingredients, forming a soft cookie dough. The background remains decorated with a pink flower, candles, and jars, creating a warm and inviting baking atmosphere.

Chilling the Dough

Now, scoop the cookie dough into small balls using a cookie scoop. Place each ball on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

For the best shape retention, you can chill the cookie dough balls in the freezer for about 30 minutes while you preheat your oven to 350°F. However, if you skip the chilling step, most people won’t even notice the difference. The cookies might spread a little more during baking, but they’ll still taste absolutely delicious.

After chilling the cookie dough balls in the freezer for about 30 min to 1 hour, you can transfer the cookies to a ziplock bag, or bake them.

Baking the Sugar Cookies

Once the oven is preheated, arrange the cookie balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Leave at least two inches of space between each cookie. Bake them in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Panel with 4 images showing the final steps of making sugar cookies. The first image shows a baking tray lined with parchment paper, filled with evenly portioned cookie dough balls ready for baking or freezing. The second image displays the dough balls being placed into a ziplock bag for storage, possibly for freezing or chilling before baking. The third image depicts a few dough balls placed on a lined baking tray, spaced out for baking in the oven. The fourth image shows the finished sugar cookies, baked to a light golden color, resting on the tray and some placed in the background, accompanied by decorative elements like a pink flower, candles, and wooden bowls, creating a cozy and rustic presentation.

Storage

Store any leftover chewy sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 to 4 days.

The unbaked cookie dough balls can last for up to 2 months in the freezer, in a ziplock bag.

An overhead image of freshly baked sugar cookies arranged closely together, showcasing their soft and lightly cracked tops. The cookies have a golden hue and appear chewy and tender, with a slightly crisp edge. A small wooden bowl filled with sugar is visible in the corner, adding to the texture and baking ambiance. The cookies are laid out on parchment paper, creating a cozy and homemade feel that highlights their simplicity and classic appeal.

Tips & Tricks

Rolling the Cookies in Sugar: For an extra touch of sweetness and sparkle, roll the cookie dough balls in granulated sugar before baking. Simply sprinkle about 1/4 cup of sugar into a shallow bowl and dredge each ball after scooping. You can also use colored sugar for festive occasions!
Perfecting the Dough: Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy mixing. Softened butter will incorporate better with the sugar, resulting in a smoother dough.
Measuring Flour Accurately: To avoid dense cookies, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Avoid packing the flour into the cup, as this can lead to overly dry cookies. Or better yet, weigh it out with a kitchen scale!
Chilling Time: If you choose to chill your dough, aim for about 30 minutes in the freezer for optimal texture. While chilling the dough before baking is not required, this will help your cookies maintain their shape during baking.
Baking Sheets: Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. This also makes cleanup a breeze!
Don’t Over bake: Keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. They should look slightly underbaked in the center when you take them out; they will continue to firm up as they cool.

A close-up image of a stack of freshly baked sugar cookies placed on a wooden surface, showcasing their soft and slightly cracked texture. The cookies are golden brown and neatly piled to highlight their thickness and chewy nature. Surrounding the stack are more cookies scattered on a cooling rack and baking tray, with a small wooden bowl filled with sugar in the foreground. The background is softly blurred, featuring decorative items like jars, candles, and wooden utensils, contributing to the warm, cozy, and inviting atmosphere of homemade baking.

Sugar Cookie Variations

Frosted Sugar Cookies: Once cooled, top your cookies with your favorite royal icing or buttercream frosting. Decorate with sprinkles or edible glitter for a festive touch.
Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add the zest of one lemon to the dough for a refreshing citrus twist. You can also replace some of the vanilla extract with lemon juice, or extract.
Citrus Cookies: Don’t stop at lemon, you can also add orange or key lime zest to the recipe.
Chocolate-Dipped Sugar Cookies: Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted chocolate and let them set on parchment paper for a delightful chocolate-covered treat.
Spiced Sugar Cookies: Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ginger, or chai spice to the dough for a hint of spice, perfect for fall or winter gatherings.
Nutty Addition: Incorporate 1/4 cup of finely chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, into the dough for added texture and flavor.
Holiday-Themed Cookies: Use a rolling pin to roll out your cookie dough and use cookie cutters to shape your dough into festive designs for Christmas cookies, Halloween, or Valentine’s Day. Make sure you freeze the cookies in these shapes before baking so they don’t spread!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This sugar cookie recipe is truly effortless, making it a go-to for bakers of all skill levels. No chilling needed and minimal ingredients make these cookies perfect for quick treats or last-minute gatherings. The straightforward steps ensure a stress-free baking experience, so you can spend more time enjoying the delicious results, or entertaining your guests, and less time in the kitchen.

The texture of these cookies is everything you want in a sugar cookie, soft and chewy in the center with just the right amount of crispness around the edges. The buttery flavor shines through, making them melt in your mouth and keeping you coming back for more. Make sure to use good quality butter to elevate the taste of these cookies.

These sugar cookies stay soft for days, so you can make them ahead and still enjoy that fresh-baked taste and texture. They are also super easy to store in the freezer, which means you can make them even up to 2 months ahead of time. Then bake them whenever you have a hankering for cookies, or when you have guests coming over.

Another reason to love this recipe is its versatility. While the classic sugar cookie flavor is perfect on its own, you can easily customize them by adding sprinkles, spices, lemon zest, or even dipping them in chocolate, such as the suggestions above.

They are great for decorating, making them ideal for holidays, special occasions, or whenever you want to have a little fun in the kitchen. With endless possibilities, these cookies are sure to become a beloved staple in your recipe box.

A close-up image of freshly baked sugar cookies piled onto a parchment-lined baking tray. The cookies are soft with a slightly cracked surface and a light golden-brown color, highlighting their chewy texture. The background features cozy elements like candles, wooden bowls filled with sugar, and decorative jars, enhancing the warm, inviting, and rustic feel of a home-baking environment. The cookies are presented in an appealing way, showcasing their homemade simplicity and charm.

If you like these sugar cookies, you’ll love these other cookie recipes!

I can’t wait to hear how your cookies turn out! Don’t forget to share your creations with me on here or on Instagram!

Sugar Cookies

Camila Hurst

These classic sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and sweet, perfect for any occasion. Easily customizable with colorful sugars or delicious add-ins, they're sure to delight everyone

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 40

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings cookies

Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients

10 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature (141 grams)
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar 225 grams
1 large egg room temperature
1 large yolk room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 283 grams
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Beat the butter with a mixer for 1 minute at medium-high speed.
Add the sugar and beat for another 2 minutes, until creamy and fluffy.
Add the whole egg and mix to combine. Scrape the bowl and mix briefly.
Add the egg yolk and the vanilla, and mix until incorporated.
Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the bowl.
Mix on low until the ingredients come together.
Scoop the cookies into small balls using a cookie scoop, and place each cookie in a tray lined with parchment paper.
Place the cookies in the freezer while you pre-heat the oven to 350ºF.
You don’t necessarily have to chill the cookies before baking, but if you don’t chill them they will spread out slightly more than if you do.
Once the oven is pre-heated, place the cookie balls on a tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, at least 2 inches apart from each other.
Bake the cookies in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until they are set on the outside and slightly golden.
Store the cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.

Notes

Rolling the Cookies in Sugar: Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of crystal sugar on a shallow bowl. Right after scooping the cookies, roll the cookies between your hands into a smooth ball, then dredge each one in the sugar. Proceed with the chilling/baking as described above. You can also use colorful sugar to make the cookies fun, such as green and red sugar for Christmas, or pink, green, blue sugar for Easter.

Freezing: After chilling the cookies in the freezer for about 1 hour, they should be frozen solid. You can then place the cookies in a ziplock bag, and keep them in the freezer. Anytime you feel like eating a cookie, just pre-heat the oven and bake the cookies straight from the freezer.

Chilling: As mentioned above, chilling is not needed, you can bake these cookies straight after shaping. This may cause them to spread out more, while chilling might make the cookies a bit fluffier and taller.

Add-ins: You can add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, sprinkles, spices, coconut flakes, chopped candy, to the dough after adding the flour to the cookies. Add about 1/4 cup of additions, or more if you want.