If you’re dreaming of the kind of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treat that tastes like home, these Easy Sugar Cookies will absolutely steal your heart. Soft in the center, crisp at the edges, and coated with that magical sparkle of sugar, this recipe is the ultimate celebration of simplicity meeting pure comfort. You’ll love how quickly they come together, making them perfect for spontaneous baking sessions or festive occasions. Plus, the aroma that fills your kitchen while they’re baking is impossible to resist! Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, mastering these Easy Sugar Cookies means you’ll always have a failsafe, crowd-pleasing sweet up your sleeve.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed by how a handful of classic pantry staples can transform into cookies so irresistible! Each ingredient in these Easy Sugar Cookies plays an important role in creating their signature flavor, texture, and color – it’s baking magic at its best.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and tender crumb that makes these cookies perfectly soft and chewy.
- Baking soda: Ensures the cookies puff up just right, giving them soft centers with a little lift.
- Baking powder: Adds extra lightness; combined with baking soda, it helps the cookies bake up airy but not cakey.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens the flavors in every bite.
- Unsalted butter, softened: The creamy base that gives each cookie that classic, rich flavor and tender texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and creates that delightful, sparkly crust when the cookies are rolled before baking.
- Large egg: Adds richness and helps bind the dough together for the perfect texture.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the cookies with a warm, nostalgic aroma—absolutely essential in sugar cookies!
- Almond extract (optional): Adds a subtle, bakery-style flavor that makes these cookies stand out (but skip if you prefer plain vanilla).
- Milk: Just a splash brings the dough together to create that soft, tender bite.
- Additional sugar for rolling: This is what gives Easy Sugar Cookies their iconic sparkle and a tiny crunch on top.
How to Make Easy Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lay out a couple of baking sheets and line them with parchment paper—this keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Getting ready now means less scrambling once your dough is mixed and ready to go!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This simple step ensures all your leaveners and seasonings are distributed evenly, so each cookie bakes up with that perfect rise and delicate flavor.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—about two to three minutes. This is where the magic starts, setting you up for those super tender, bakery-quality Easy Sugar Cookies. Don’t rush this step!
Step 4: Add Egg, Extracts, and Milk
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re feeling fancy!). Pour in that splash of milk as well. Blend until the dough is smooth and everything’s beautifully combined—the aroma alone will have you swooning.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on a low speed or by hand. Stop as soon as you see a lovely, soft dough come together. Try not to overmix—this is the secret to a tender bite in every Easy Sugar Cookie.
Step 6: Roll and Coat in Sugar
Scoop out 1-inch balls of dough and roll each one between your hands. Gently roll the balls in granulated sugar until they’re fully coated—this is what gives your cookies that shiny, crackly finish and subtle crunch.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Place the sugar-covered dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Use the bottom of a glass or your palm to gently press each ball flat. Slide them in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges turn golden and the centers look ever-so-slightly underdone. That’s the secret to soft Easy Sugar Cookies!
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This quick rest helps them set up with perfect softness. Once cool, dive in and savor every sweet, buttery bite!
How to Serve Easy Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
Classic is always wonderful, but why not add a little flair? Try sprinkling colorful sanding sugar or rainbow sprinkles on top before baking for a festive look, or melt a little white chocolate to drizzle over cooled cookies for an elegant touch.
Side Dishes
Sugar cookies are secretly the world’s most versatile sweet! Serve them with a tall glass of icy cold milk, your favorite hot cocoa, or even beside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Easy Sugar Cookies into edible gifts—stack them in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon, or arrange them artfully on a platter for holiday parties. You can also sandwich them with buttercream or fruit jam for a homemade twist on cookie sandwiches.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Easy Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They stay soft and delicious, making them perfect for lunchboxes or late-night treats.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls! Baked cookies should be cooled completely, then layered between sheets of parchment and sealed in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. For dough, simply portion and freeze—bake straight from the freezer, just add a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
If your cookies have been stored or frozen, warm them up for a few seconds in the microwave or a couple of minutes in a low oven. This brings back that fresh-from-the-oven softness and revives their irresistible aroma.
FAQs
Do I have to use almond extract in Easy Sugar Cookies?
No, almond extract is purely optional! Vanilla alone gives wonderful flavor, but the almond adds a subtle, bakery-like aroma that you might really enjoy. Feel free to skip or swap, based on your taste.
Why did my sugar cookies turn out dry?
Overbaking is the biggest culprit. Pull your Easy Sugar Cookies out of the oven while they still look slightly soft in the center—this guarantees that perfectly chewy, tender texture every time.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can chill the dough in the fridge for up to 24 hours. This not only allows you to bake fresh cookies on your schedule, but it also intensifies the flavors and makes the dough even easier to handle.
How do I ensure my cookies have a sparkly sugar finish?
Be generous when rolling each dough ball in granulated sugar. If you want extra sparkle, press the tops gently into a shallow dish of sugar just before flattening them on the baking sheets.
Can I customize these Easy Sugar Cookies with mix-ins?
Of course! While they’re perfect just as they are, adding citrus zest, sprinkles, or even a touch of cinnamon to the dough is a fun way to make the recipe your own.
Final Thoughts
There’s just nothing quite like pulling a sheet of warm, homemade Easy Sugar Cookies from the oven—especially when they bake up as delicious and reliable as these. I hope you dive in and give them a try, whether you’re baking for loved ones or just treating yourself. Wishing you happy baking and plenty of sweet, buttery moments ahead!
Print
Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These easy sugar cookies are a classic treat that everyone loves. With a soft and buttery texture, these cookies are perfect for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to simple afternoon snacks.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Additional sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk. Mix until combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop dough into balls, roll in sugar, place on baking sheets, flatten, and bake for 8–10 minutes.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For softer cookies, avoid overbaking.
- You can add sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Dough can be chilled for up to 24 hours.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
