Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These easy sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet—ideal for any occasion. With a simple dough and a quick roll in sugar, they turn out beautifully crisp on the edges and tender inside.

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, for rolling cookies

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the butter and 1 3/4 cups sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Step 4: Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until combined.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough comes together.
6. Step 6: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar until well coated.
7. Step 7: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
8. Step 8: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
9. Step 9: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of lemon zest or cinnamon to the dough.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to help cookies hold their shape better.
• Use colored sugar or sprinkles for festive decorations before baking.

Storage

Store cooled sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to three months. To reheat, let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature or warm in a low oven for a few minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.

How can I make these cookies chewier?

Try using all egg yolks instead of whole eggs or slightly underbake the cookies by a minute to keep them soft and chewy inside.

Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 60 reviews

These easy sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and perfect for any occasion. They feature a simple dough made with butter, sugar, and vanilla, rolled in extra sugar for a sweet, slightly crisp exterior. Ideal for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, this recipe yields classic, delicious cookies with a tender crumb and delightful flavor.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Finishing

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for rolling cookies in)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature when the cookies are ready to bake.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder until well combined. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter and 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes and ensures the cookies will have a tender texture.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the large egg and egg yolk to the butter-sugar mixture, then blend in the vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
6. Prepare Cookie Dough Balls: Roll the dough into balls approximately 1 inch in diameter. Then, roll each ball in the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar to coat evenly. This sugar coating adds a slight crunchy texture to the cookies’ surface.
7. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
8. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers remain soft. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies chewy.
9. Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents breaking.

Notes

• For best results, use butter at cool room temperature—not too soft or melted—to achieve the ideal dough texture.
• Do not overmix the dough as it can make the cookies tough.
• Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help reduce spreading, if desired.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• You can add sprinkles or colored sugar instead of plain granulated sugar for a festive touch.

Keywords: easy sugar cookies, classic sugar cookies, soft sugar cookies, homemade sugar cookies, vanilla sugar cookies