Classic Sugar Cookies Recipe

Serving Size: 36 cookies
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Bake Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients for the Cookies

• 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 2 tablespoons milk

Ingredients for Simple Decoration

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar for sprinkling
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• Colored sprinkles (optional)

Preparing the Cookie Dough

Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set this dry ingredient mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat for about 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. The butter should be well incorporated and the mixture should look pale and airy.

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until everything is well combined. The mixture might look slightly curdled at first, but this is normal and will smooth out as you continue mixing.

Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients

Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until the ingredients are combined. Don’t overmix, as this can make the cookies tough. Add the milk and mix briefly until the dough comes together in a smooth ball.

The finished dough should be soft but not sticky. If it seems too dry, add another tablespoon of milk. If it’s too sticky to handle, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it reaches the right consistency.

Chilling the Dough

Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a flat disk. Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days. This chilling step is crucial because it firms up the butter, making the dough much easier to roll out and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Well-chilled dough also holds decorative shapes better and results in cookies with cleaner, sharper edges.

Rolling and Cutting the Cookies

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes to soften slightly. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Keep the surface and rolling pin lightly floured to prevent sticking, but don’t use too much flour as this can make the cookies tough.

Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes, pressing straight down without twisting to ensure clean edges. Place the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.

Decorating Before Baking

For simple decoration, lightly brush the tops of the cookies with milk or beaten egg, then sprinkle with granulated sugar. For cinnamon sugar cookies, mix the granulated sugar with ground cinnamon before sprinkling. You can also add colored sprinkles at this stage for festive cookies.

If you plan to decorate with icing after baking, skip this step and bake the cookies plain.

Baking to Perfection

Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just set but not browned. The centers should still look slightly soft and pale. Sugar cookies continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after they come out of the oven, so slightly underbaking ensures they stay tender.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack using a thin spatula. Cool completely before decorating or storing.

Making Royal Icing for Decoration

If you want to decorate your cookies with icing, here’s a simple royal icing recipe that dries hard and smooth. In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons meringue powder, and 5 to 6 tablespoons warm water until smooth. The icing should be thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to spread smoothly.

Divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring as desired. Keep unused icing covered with a damp cloth to prevent it from hardening.

Decorating Techniques

For outlined and filled cookies, use thicker icing to create borders around the edges, then thin some icing with a few drops of water to flood the interior. Allow the base layer to dry completely before adding details on top.

You can also dip cookies partially in icing, drizzle patterns with a spoon, or use squeeze bottles for precise decorating. Sprinkles and small candies should be applied while the icing is still wet.

Storage and Freshness

Plain sugar cookies will stay fresh for up to 1 week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Decorated cookies with royal icing can be stored the same way once the icing has completely hardened, which usually takes 4 to 6 hours.

Freezing Tips

The cookie dough freezes beautifully for up to 3 months when wrapped tightly. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting.

Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months in airtight containers. Freeze plain cookies and decorate them after thawing for best results.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your cookies spread too much during baking, the dough may not have been chilled long enough, or your oven temperature might be too low. Make sure the dough is well-chilled and verify your oven temperature with an oven thermometer.

If cookies are too hard, they may have been overbaked or the dough was overworked. Bake just until the edges are set, and mix the dough only until ingredients are combined.

Creative Variations

While classic vanilla sugar cookies are perfect on their own, you can easily customize the flavor. Try adding lemon zest for citrus cookies, cocoa powder for chocolate versions, or different extracts like coconut or rum for unique tastes.

You can also roll the dough in colored sugar before cutting, or press cookie stamps into the dough for textured designs without needing additional decorating.

These classic sugar cookies offer endless possibilities for creativity while delivering that perfect combination of tender texture and sweet, buttery flavor that makes them a beloved treat for any occasion. Whether you’re making them for a holiday celebration or just because, these cookies bring joy to both the baking process and the eating experience.