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If you’re on the hunt for the Best Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe that delivers soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats every single time, you’re in the right place. These sugar cookies are a perfect balance of simplicity and flavor, making them ideal for any occasion—from a casual tea to festive holiday gatherings. With just a handful of everyday ingredients and a straightforward method, you’ll soon have warm, golden cookies that bring a smile to everyone’s face and fill your kitchen with that irresistible bakery scent.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple but each plays a crucial role in creating the soft texture, sweet flavor, and perfect color you crave in these sugar cookies.
- Unsalted butter: Using softened unsalted butter ensures a creamy texture and lets you control the saltiness of the cookies perfectly.
- Granulated sugar: This adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps create that classic, slightly crisp edge.
- Large egg: Acts as the perfect binder and adds moisture, keeping the cookies tender.
- Vanilla extract: A small splash boosts the cookie’s flavor with a warm, comforting aroma.
- All-purpose flour: This is the sturdy foundation of the dough, providing structure without heaviness.
- Baking powder: Gives a gentle lift so your cookies don’t turn out flat and dense.
- Salt: A pinch balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
How to Make Best Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This simple prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the pan effortlessly.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This step incorporates air into the dough, which is key to getting those tender cookies with a soft crumb.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until they’re fully incorporated. This adds richness and enhances the cookie’s flavor depth, turning a simple cookie into something truly delightful.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to your wet ingredients, mixing just until everything comes together. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so be gentle here.
Step 5: Shape and Flatten
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. For an extra touch of charm, flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar—this creates a delicate, sparkly finish that’s both pretty and delicious.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just turning a light golden hue. This balance makes sure they’re perfectly soft in the center but have a slightly crisp edge. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Best Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these sugar cookies are delicious on their own, adding a simple garnish can elevate their appeal. Sprinkle a pinch of colored sugar or edible glitter before baking for a fun pop of sparkle, or drizzle melted chocolate on top once cooled for a decadent touch.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a comforting cup of hot cocoa, a frothy latte, or even a glass of cold milk for classic pairing. They also complement fresh fruit platters, making for an inviting tea-time spread or snack board.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the cookies with layers of raspberry jam or cream cheese frosting for mini cookie sandwiches. Another charming idea is to use cookie cutters to shape the dough before baking, making themed sets for holidays, birthdays, or celebrations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature where they’ll stay fresh and soft for up to one week. Placing a slice of bread in the container helps maintain their texture by absorbing excess moisture.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies for longer storage by sandwiching parchment paper between layers and sealing them tightly in a freezer-safe bag or container. When properly frozen, they maintain their flavor and texture for up to three months.
Reheating
To enjoy your cookies warm like fresh-baked, simply heat them in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes, or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This brings back that soft, melt-in-your-mouth feel that’s so hard to resist.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, using salted butter is fine, but I recommend reducing or skipping the added salt in the recipe. Unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness more precisely, but salted butter will still yield delicious cookies.
How do I make the cookies thicker?
If you want thicker cookies, chill the dough for at least an hour before baking. Chilling slows down spreading and helps the cookies hold their shape better while baking.
Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?
Absolutely! Fold in mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even sprinkles at the stage when you combine the dry and wet ingredients. This adds fun texture and flavor twists to the classic sugar cookie.
What’s the best way to decorate these sugar cookies?
Royal icing or simple glaze toppings work beautifully if you want to get creative. You can also use colored sanding sugar or edible markers for personalized decorations.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe as is uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends designed for baking to make a gluten-free version. Just watch the texture as it may vary.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about the Best Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe—it’s like catching a warm hug from your oven. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a sweet treat, these cookies never disappoint. I hope this recipe finds a happy spot in your kitchen and becomes one of your go-to favorites for sharing joy with friends and family.
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Print
Best Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Best Easy Sugar Cookies are a classic treat that’s soft, buttery, and slightly crisp around the edges. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are simple to make and delightfully sweet with a hint of vanilla. Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re ideal for both beginners and seasoned bakers looking to whip up a quick homemade dessert.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is essential to incorporate air for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, ensuring the dough is smooth and uniform.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually incorporate these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten each ball slightly using the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar for a decorative, lightly crunchy top.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should remain soft. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For an extra festive look, decorate the cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles before baking.
- Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, to help achieve the perfect cookie texture.
- If dough is too sticky, refrigerate for 15-20 minutes before rolling into balls.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
