If you're craving sugar cookies, look no further than this recipe for soft sugar cookies that only take 25 minutes to make and are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. The delicate flavor of vanilla combined with the chewy texture and sweet icing sugar make these cookies irresistible.
Contents
🌟 Why this recipe works
There are so many reasons why this easy sugar cookie recipe is the best one out there!
They have a light crumbly texture that melts in your mouth, and the sweet vanilla icing sugar tops these cookies perfectly. Plus, it only takes 25 minutes to make them - perfect for when you're short on time but still want to enjoy a delicious treat.
Making homemade cookies is a great baking activity to get your kids involved, and these delicate sugar cookies are sure to be a hit with the whole family and satisfy your sweet tooth. The kids will love decorating them with their favorite icing sugars and sprinkles, and you'll love how easy they are to make.
They're also budget-friendly as the recipe uses simple pantry ingredients that you probably already have on hand. So, what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try, and see for yourself why it's the best-tasting sugar cookie recipe out there!
🍽 Key Ingredients
Baking sugar cookies is such an easy recipe to make with your kids using simple pantry ingredients and basic kitchen equipment.
Sugar - You'll need powdered and granulated sugar for this cookie dough and icing sugar.
All-purpose flour - Using all-purpose flour is the best flour for baking cookies as it gives the cookies a light and airy texture.
Butter - The recipe calls for unsalted butter, so make sure to add a little pinch of salt if you're using salted butter.
Eggs - The egg in the cookie dough mixture helps them rise during baking.
Baking powder - This leavening agent will help the cookies become nice and fluffy.
Heavy cream - This adds richness and flavor to the cookie dough.
Pure vanilla extract - This provides a delicate flavor to the cookies and icing.
Milk - You'll need milk to thin out the icing sugar so it's easier to spread on the cookies.
Food coloring - This is optional, but if you want to add some color to your cookies, then food coloring is a great way to do it.
Substitutions
Cream
If you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute it with sour cream or milk. Just keep in mind that if you're using milk, the cookies will be a little less rich.
Vanilla
If you don't have vanilla extract, you can use any other extracts like almond extract or lemon extract.
Baking powder
You can use ¼ teaspoon of baking soda instead if you don't have baking powder on hand.
🔪 How to make
It's easy to make sugar cookies! Just follow these simple steps, and you'll have the best sugar cookies around!
Preparations
- Remove the butter from the fridge to come to room temperature.
Cooking instructions
Step 1
Cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a bowl using a hand or stand mixer.
Step 2
Beat in the egg, then stir in the cream and vanilla.
Step 3
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
Step 4
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients until everything is well blended.
Step 5
Divide the dough in half, form it into small balls or use a cookie scoop, then cover it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour.
Step 6
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step 7
When you're ready to bake the cookies and roll the dough out onto a floured surface and cut out the desired shape with cookie cutters.
Step 8
Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
Step 9
Remove the baked cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack while making the icing.
Step 10
Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy in a medium bowl
Step 11
Gradually add the milk and vanilla extract and mix for 5 minutes until everything is well blended.
If you want to color the icing, add food coloring now, and mix until the desired color is reached.
Step 12
Use a spatula to spread or a piping bag to pipe the icing on the cooled cookies. Enjoy!
💭 Cooking tips
Over baking
It's important not to overbake the sugar cookies if you want them soft and chewy. Once the cookies start to turn lightly golden, it's time to remove them from the oven.
Measure the ingredients
Too much flour, butter, or sugar will affect the outcome of these soft sugar cookies, so make sure you have scales to get the best sugar cookies.
Don't overcrowd
You'll likely get around 20 homemade sugar cookies from this recipe, so you'll need 2 or 3 baking sheets to bake all of them rather than cramming them into one.
📖 Recipe Variations
There are so many ways that you can try with this sugar cookie recipe to suit your taste. Here are a few ideas:
Peanut butter sugar cookies
Add ½ cup of softened peanut butter when beating the sugar and butter for a delicious buttery and nutty flavor.
Chocolate chips sugar cookies
If you want to add some chocolate to your cookies, try adding ¼ cup of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate chips when adding the flour to the wet ingredients.
Sprinkles sugar cookies
If you want your cookies to be nice and colorful, add some candy sprinkles on top of the icing.
Cinnamon sugar cookies
For a festive flavor, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and ½ a teaspoon of nutmeg to the flour mixture.
🥗 What to serve with
If you're looking to make a cookie gift box with these chewy sugar cookies or just want more cookies on the table to serve to your guests, we have a variety of other cookies for you to make at home!
Chocolate chip peanut butter cookies: These are classic cookies that are loved by all! Made with semi-sweet chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and a hint of vanilla, they are perfect for any cookie enthusiast.
Ginger Sandwich Cookies: These are a fun and festive twist on the classic ginger snap cookie. Made with ground ginger, cinnamon, and allspice, they are perfect for the holiday season.
Oatmeal raisin cookies: Oatmeal cookies are spiced cookies with a range of festive flavors, from cinnamon to allspice and vanilla. They have a crunchy texture from the rolled oats and a brown color from the light brown sugar and spices.
Chocolate chip cookies: Chocolate chip cookies are a classic favorite and can be enjoyed any time of year. Made with semi-sweet chocolate chips, they are rich and delicious.
Cranberry orange thumbprint cookies: Thumbprint cookies have a crunchy outer shell and a soft center with a cranberry-like jam on top.
🙋 Frequently asked questions
Can I store unbaked dough?
Yes, this recipe is great for freezing. Flatten the dough balls into a cookie round, then place them on a cookie sheet with parchment paper and freeze them for an hour until hard. Transfer the hardened cookies to an airtight container and store them for up to 2 months.
Can I make these cookies without the icing?
Yes, the cookies are delicious on their own! If you want to decorate them without the icing, try dusting them with powdered sugar.
Why didn't my cookies spread?
There are a few reasons why your cookies might not have spread. Make sure that your butter is at room temperature so that it creams properly with the sugar, and measure the ingredients, as adding more flour than necessary will make the dough too stiff and prevent spreading.
🧊 Storing
These chewy sugar cookies taste delicious and are also great for storing so that you can enjoy them whenever you want.
Room temperature -Store the chewy sugar cookies in an airtight container in the cupboard away from direct sunlight for up to 5 days.
Fridge - You can store these cookies in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Simply place them in an airtight container.
Freezer - These chewy sugar cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
🍳 Related cookie recipes
If you're looking for more recipes to bake, check out our list of 35 comforting things to bake including my thumbprint cookies, oatmeal cream pie recipe ready in 30 minute, or our best Southern comfort food recipes that are sure to please.
More Christmas recipe ideas? Check out my easy cranberry cheese ball ready in only 15 minutes!
👪 Serving size
You can expect to make around 24 sugar cookies from this recipe or double the quantity for a huge batch.
These soft cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether you're looking to make a gift box of cookies or just want more cookies on the table to serve to your guests with a variety of other cookies, we have something for everyone!
Love this dessert recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Try one of my comfort dessert recipes for your next meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!
📋 Recipe
Ultimate Sugar Cookies (with Icing!)
Ingredients
for the cookies:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cups butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg - lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
for the icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 5 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- food coloring - optional
Instructions
Preparations
- Remove the butter from the fridge to come to room temperature.
Cooking instructions
- Cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a bowl using a hand or stand mixer.
- Beat in the egg, then stir in the cream and vanilla.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl,
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients until everything is well blended.
- Divide the dough in half, form it into small balls or use a cookie scoop, then cover it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)
- When you're ready to bake the cookies and roll the dough out onto a floured surface and cut out the desired shape with cookie cutters.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
- Remove the baked cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack while making the icing.
- Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy in a medium bowl
- Gradually add the milk and vanilla extract and mix for 5 minutes until everything is well blended. If you want to color the icing, add food coloring now, and mix until the desired color is reached.
- Use a spatula to spread or a piping bag to pipe the icing on the cooled cookies. Enjoy!
Cherie
Can I use half& Half creamer for the heavy cream
Ben Rayl
Yes Cherie, half & half will work if that's all you have on hand!
Dee
What kind of cream did you use for this recipe
Ben Rayl
Dee, I always use heavy cream when baking. Unless it specifically says otherwise. Happy Holidays!