The Best Classic Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Sweet memories often revolve around classic rolled sugar cookies that spark joy in every kitchen.

Mixing memories with buttery goodness creates magical moments we cherish.

Soft and delicate, these treats connect generations through simple ingredients and love.

Simple pantry staples become extraordinary when combined with care and attention.

Grandmothers and bakers understand the secret lies in gentle handling and precise measurements.

Crisp edges and tender centers make these cookies irresistible for celebrations or quiet afternoons.

Let the baking adventure begin and fill your home with warmth and sweet anticipation.

Why Sugar Cookies Never Go Out of Style

• Unleash Creativity: Design unique shapes and decorations with versatile cookie cutters, making these sugar cookies a fun activity for all ages.
• Prep-Ahead Perfection: Chill the dough in advance, allowing busy home bakers to plan and prepare cookies with minimal last-minute stress.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for novice bakers looking to build confidence in the kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Treat: These classic sugar cookies are perfect for holidays, birthdays, or casual gatherings, delighting both kids and adults with their sweet, buttery flavor.

Just What You Need for Perfect Rolled Cookies

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp, golden exterior.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cookie.
• Flour: The primary dry ingredient that forms the cookie's base and gives it structure.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Vanilla: Adds a classic, warm flavor that complements the sweet sugar cookie base.

How to Roll, Cut, and Bake Classic Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up the Butter Base

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and blend softened butter with sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth. Use an electric mixer for the best consistency, beating until the texture is light and fluffy.

Step 2: Introduce Wet Ingredients

Add eggs and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Blend thoroughly until all ingredients are completely incorporated and the batter looks uniform and silky.

Step 3: Create Cookie Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Stir until a soft dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight to help the dough firm up and develop richer flavors.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Dust your countertop with a light layer of flour.

Roll out the chilled dough to approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Use fun cookie cutters to create interesting shapes.

Step 5: Arrange Cookies

Place cookie shapes onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow room for slight spreading during baking.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake cookies for 6 to 8 minutes until edges are lightly golden.

Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely on wire racks before decorating with icing or sprinkles.

Sugar Cookie Success Tips for Soft or Crisp Results

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother, more even mixing and better cookie texture.
• Roll out dough between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and achieve uniform thickness.
• Avoid overbaking; cookies should be just lightly golden at the edges for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth result.
• Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing or colored sugar for festive, personalized treats that everyone will love.

Creative Frostings and Sprinkle Combos to Try

• Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies: Fold 1 cup of chocolate chips into the dough before chilling, creating a sweet and classic flavor combination.
• Lemon Zest Sugar Cookies: Add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon zest to the butter mixture for a bright, citrusy profile that enhances the cookie's taste.
• Almond-Infused Sugar Cookies: Mix 1 teaspoon of almond extract with the vanilla extract and sprinkle chopped almonds on top before baking for a nutty crunch.
• Spiced Holiday Sugar Cookies: Incorporate 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, and a pinch of ground cloves into the dry ingredients for a warm, festive touch.

What Goes Great with These Classic Cookies

• Craft Creamy Hot Chocolate Pairing: Warm up your sugar cookies with a rich, velvety hot chocolate that complements the sweet, buttery flavor of the cookies. The creamy texture and deep chocolate notes create a delightful contrast with the crisp cookie.
• Elevate with Vanilla Chai Latte: Brew a smooth vanilla chai latte that brings out the vanilla undertones in the sugar cookies. The warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom dance perfectly with the cookie's delicate sweetness.
• Match with Almond Champagne: Surprise your taste buds by pairing these sugar cookies with a light, crisp almond-infused champagne. The bubbly, nutty notes enhance the cookie's delicate butter flavor and provide an elegant touch to your dessert experience.

Store Your Sugar Cookies Like a Pro

• Refrigerate: Seal cooled cookies in airtight container, layering between parchment paper. Keeps fresh for 1 week.
• Freeze: Wrap undecorated cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Store flat in freezer up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Reheating: Warm gently in 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore slight crispness. Avoid microwave to prevent softening texture.
• Room Temperature: Store decorated cookies in single layer inside sealed container. Consume within 3-4 days for best flavor and texture.

All Your Cookie Dough Questions, Answered

• Why do I need to chill the dough before rolling?

Chilling helps prevent spreading and makes the dough easier to handle, ensuring your cookies maintain their shape during baking.

• Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter provides the best flavor and texture. Margarine might alter the taste and make cookies less crisp.

• How thin should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough between 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick for the best cookie texture – not too thin to break, not too thick to be heavy.

• Do I need special equipment to make these cookies?

You just need basic baking tools like a rolling pin, cookie cutters, and a baking sheet. No fancy equipment required.

Classic Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 6 minutes (or overnight)
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet delights of Grandma’s classic rolled sugar cookies bring nostalgia and comfort to holiday gatherings. Buttery, crisp edges and delicate centers invite bakers to create memorable moments with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 5 cups (710 grams) all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) butter, softened
• 2 cups (400 grams) white sugar

Leavening Agents:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Blend softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and creamy, ensuring a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
2. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to create a uniform wet base.
3. Gradually fold in dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt – forming a cohesive dough.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for minimum 1 hour, allowing ingredients to meld and dough to firm up.
5. Remove chilled dough and let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften slightly.
6. Dust work surface generously with flour and roll out dough to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness using even pressure.
7. Select preferred cookie cutters and carefully cut desired shapes, transferring delicate pieces to ungreased baking sheets.
8. Arrange cookie shapes 1 inch apart to prevent merging during baking.
9. Preheat oven to 400°F and position rack in center of oven.
10. Bake cookies 6-8 minutes until edges are barely golden, watching carefully to prevent over-browning.
11. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet for 5 minutes.
12. Transfer to wire rack for final cooling before decorating with icing or sprinkles.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
• Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother, more even mixing and better cookie texture.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain cookie structure.
• Adjust rolling thickness based on desired cookie crispness: thinner for crisp cookies, thicker for softer, more tender results.

• Prep Time: 1 hour (or overnight)
• Cook Time: 6 to 8 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg