Quick & Buttery Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Sweet memories often start with a classic sugar cookies recipe that melts hearts instantly.

Childhood nostalgia dances through grandmother’s kitchen, filling rooms with buttery aromas.

Delicate rounds sprinkled with sparkly sugar promise pure comfort and joy.

Soft edges and crisp centers create the perfect balance of textures you’ll adore.

Mixing these simple ingredients requires minimal effort but delivers maximum happiness.

Whisking flour, butter, and sugar becomes a moment of pure culinary magic.

Baking these cookies will transform an ordinary afternoon into something extraordinary.

Why Easy Sugar Cookies Are A Simple Sweet Favorite

• Master Simple Baking: Perfect for beginners or bakers wanting a straightforward cookie recipe that requires minimal technical skills.
• Customize with Creativity: Versatile recipe allows endless decorating options like powdered sugar dusting or personalized icing designs for special occasions.
• Quick Preparation Magic: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can prepare delicious homemade cookies without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Family-Friendly Treat: Engaging baking process makes these cookies great for involving kids, creating fun memories while learning basic cooking techniques.

What You’ll Need For Easy Sugar Cookies

• Butter: A creamy dairy product that provides rich flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, crisp cookie structure.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's moisture and texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, sweet aromatic profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient that gives the cookies their classic shape and texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and soft.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

• Powdered Sugar, Icing: Provides a decorative and sweet finishing touch to the classic sugar cookies.

• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
• Flour (for dusting): Helps prevent the dough from sticking when rolling out cookies.

How To Make Easy Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Whip Butter and Sugar

Grab your electric mixer and blend softened butter with granulated sugar in a spacious mixing bowl. Whip at medium speed until the mixture transforms into a light, airy, and pale yellow cloud – this should take around 3 minutes.

Step 2: Add Liquid Ingredients

Pour in the egg and vanilla extract, then mix thoroughly until the batter looks smooth and uniform in texture.

Step 3: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Ensure these dry components are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Mix until a cohesive dough forms, being careful not to overmix.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for half an hour. This helps the butter firm up and allows flavors to develop.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Station

Heat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 7: Roll Out Dough

Take the chilled dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface, aiming for a 1/4-inch thickness.

Step 8: Shape Cookies

Use cookie cutters to create shapes, carefully transferring each cut-out to the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 1 inch of space between cookies.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges while keeping centers soft.

Step 10: Cool and Set

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 11: Optional Decoration

Sprinkle powdered sugar or add a simple icing if you want extra flair.

Baking Tips For Easy Sugar Cookies

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Use room temperature butter, leaving it out for 30-60 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, creamy texture without melting.
• Prevent Overmixing Dough: Fold dry ingredients gently with a spatula, stopping just when ingredients combine to keep cookies tender and soft.
• Chill Dough for Better Shape: Refrigerating dough helps cookies maintain crisp edges and prevents spreading during baking, creating more defined shapes.
• Control Baking Time Carefully: Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when edges turn light golden, keeping centers slightly soft for chewy texture.
• Add Flavor Variations: Experiment with different extracts like almond or lemon, or sprinkle cinnamon into dry ingredients for a subtle flavor twist.

Tasty Twists For Easy Sugar Cookies

• Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Almond Vanilla Variation: Swap vanilla extract with almond extract and add finely ground almonds to the dry ingredients for a nutty flavor profile.
• Lemon Zest Cookies: Mix fresh lemon zest into the dough and replace vanilla with lemon extract for a bright, citrusy version of the classic sugar cookie.
• Vegan Sugar Cookies: Use coconut oil instead of butter, replace egg with a flax egg (ground flaxseed mixed with water), and choose plant-based sugar to create a dairy-free and egg-free option.

Best Things To Pair With Easy Sugar Cookies

• Sip Sweet Tea Pairing: Classic Southern sweet tea complements the buttery cookie's delicate flavor, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, sweet treat.
• Brew Chai Latte Match: Warm, spiced chai latte adds depth and complexity, its aromatic notes dancing beautifully with the vanilla-infused cookie's subtle sweetness.
• Dunk Milk Combination: Cold, creamy milk creates the ultimate classic cookie experience, cutting through the butter's richness and enhancing the cookie's delightful texture.
• Enjoy Vanilla Cappuccino: Smooth vanilla cappuccino echoes the cookie's vanilla extract, creating a harmonious flavor profile that elevates the entire tasting experience.

How To Store Easy Sugar Cookies Easily

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking, for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, and freeze for up to 3 months without losing quality or taste.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, maintaining their soft texture and original flavor.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore their fresh-baked warmth and crispness.

FAQs About Easy Sugar Cookies

• Why should I chill the cookie dough before baking?

Chilling helps prevent spreading, enhances flavor development, and makes the dough easier to handle by allowing butter to firm up and ingredients to blend better.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate added salt in the recipe to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the final flavor.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges while centers remain soft. Cookies will continue to set as they cool, so avoid overbaking to maintain a tender texture.

• What's the best way to roll out the cookie dough without sticking?

Use a lightly floured surface and roll between two sheets of parchment paper. This prevents sticking and helps maintain an even thickness for consistent baking.

Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 42-44 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet, buttery easy sugar cookies melt in your mouth with classic simplicity. Crisp edges and delicate centers invite bakers of all skill levels to enjoy a timeless treat that sparks childhood memories.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Leavening and Seasoning:

• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Cream softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale yellow, using an electric mixer at medium speed for about 3 minutes.
2. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, blending until completely smooth and uniform in texture.
3. Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
5. Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes, allowing the butter to firm and flavors to meld.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Remove chilled dough and roll out on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
8. Use cookie cutters to shape the dough, transferring each cut-out carefully to the prepared baking sheets with about 1 inch of space between cookies.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
10. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or decorate with simple icing if desired.

Notes

• Chill the dough for extra firmness and prevent spreading during baking, ensuring crisp cookie edges and clean shapes.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother creaming, which creates a more uniform and lighter cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense cookies; mix just until ingredients are combined for tender, delicate results.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals, maintaining the same delightful cookie experience.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 144
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 22 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg