Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (2024)

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This sugar cookie recipe makes a melt-in-your-mouth, soft, chewy cookie that doesn’t spread. Perfect for rolled or cut-out cookies!

Sugar cookies are delicious diet ruining little fiends and I love them so much. These were inspired by the Publix sugar cookie recipe that I am mildly obsessed with. Enjoy them after a yummy chicken spaghetti dinner!

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Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (1)

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Sugar Cookie Recipe

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Sugar Cookie Ingredients

  • Flour – All purpose (not self rising!)
  • Baking powder – Make sure you don’t grab baking soda.
  • Sugar – Granulated (not powdered sugar).
  • Salt – Regular table salt.
  • Butter – Salted/softened. (Unsalted butter works too, if you prefer).
  • Egg – Large.
  • Vanilla extract – Real vanilla extract, not imitation.

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (2)

Flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, butter, egg, vanilla.

How do you make homemade sugar cookies? (step-by-step)

First, in a large bowl mix together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt.

Then, cream together butter and sugar with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer. Add in egg and vanilla and mix until well combined. Add flour mixture, mix well.

Next, roll dough into a log wrapped in plastic wrap, allow to chill until dough is firm.

Finally, slice cookie log and place slices on a parchment paper or silpat lined cookie sheet. Bake until just barely done.

Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (3)

Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl, then cream together the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix into dough.

Preparation

How do you keep sugar cookies from losing their shape?

Keep your cookies from spreading by chilling your dough before baking. This recipe holds it’s shape really well, even without chilling, but some time in the fridge makes them perfect.

Do you have to chill sugar cookie dough?

No! You can absolutely make these without chilling. They only require chilling if you want them to keep their shape exactly. I love making these, rolling them in sugar, and popping directly into the oven.

How do you make sugar cookies more flavorful?

I love a plain vanilla sugar cookie, but if you want a little more pizazz try adding flavor with extracts (like almond extract, cherry, citrus), or roll in crushed peppermint, or even mix in some fresh lime or lemon zest.

Do you put sprinkles on sugar cookies before or after baking?

If you want the sprinkles directly on the cookie then roll in sprinkles, or press sprinkles into the dough, before baking.

Alternately, you can put sprinkles onto iced cookies after they’re baked. Make sure to add the sprinkles quickly as they will not stick to hardened icing.

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (4)

Roll dough into a tube shape, wrap and chill. Then cut cookie slices.

Storage and leftovers

How long do sugar cookies last?

The baked cookies will last 1 – 2 weeks at room temperature in a cool/dry environment, when stored in a sealed airtight container. If you will not be able to finish them in that amount of time, they can be frozen.

Can you freeze homemade sugar cookies?

Yes, they can be frozen before or after baking. If freezing the dough before baking, either into a log and wrap tightly in plastic wrap then again in a sealed bag or foil, or make your cookie shapes and freeze the dough on a pan. When the cookie dough shapes are frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe container.

Frozen cut outs will stay good for up to a month, and a frozen log will stay good for up to three months. After that time they will still be safe to bake/eat, but the quality will deteriorate.

To freeze after baking, allow the cookies to cool completely, then store in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

How do you defrost cookie dough?

For best results, defrost in the refrigerator overnight. To defrost cookie dough quickly, use a sharp knife to slice your frozen cookie dough into discs then place them on your lined baking sheet. The sliced dough will thaw quickly and then you can bake it.

Can you bake frozen sugar cookie dough?

Yes, place the frozen dough on a lined baking sheet and bake for 2 – 3 minutes longer than the recipe recommends.

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (5)

Place slices on a lined baking sheet.

Tips and tricks for the best sugar cookies

Stop the spread

If you want the dough to keep its shape (as pictured in this recipe), chill the dough for several hours before baking. If making cut-out shapes, chill the dough on the baking sheet after it has been cut out.

Add some flare

Roll your cookies in colored sugar or sprinkles for a fun look and some added texture. Or add a drop or two of food coloring to the dough!

How long to bake soft sugar cookies?

Soft sugar cookies and chewy sugar cookies are the best! Make sure you bake them to just barely done (about 10 minutes, 8 for smaller cookies) so they get the perfect texture. If they’ve browned you’ve left them in too long.

How thick do I roll sugar cookies?

We like ours between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick. You can roll them, or slice them, or even roll into balls and press with a fork or your hand!

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (6)

Bake until just done, don’t let them brown!

Cut out sugar cookie recipe

This recipe is perfect for cut out cookies too because it holds shape beautifully. To make cut-out sugar cookies, roll the dough thin (between 1/4 and 1/2 inches thick) on a floured surface with a rolling pin.

Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and place them on a lined baking sheet. Chill the sheet for at least 30 minutes, until dough is stiff. Then bake as directed.

Frosting your sugar cookies

You can use royal icing for sugar cookies (this is traditional), but honestly I’m partial to cream cheese icing! I like to add a little extra powdered sugar to the frosting recipe so it will harden.

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (7)

Enjoy as is, or add icing and sprinkles.

What to eat with easy sugar cookies (serving suggestions)

Well, I’m partial to a hot cup of coffee or tea with mine. And if I’m feeling fancy, a mug of peppermint mocha. Yum. Or enjoy them after a healthy dinner of turkey meatloaf and roasted carrots!

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (8)

These cookies hold their shape beautifully!

Other amazing cookie recipes

  • Sugar cookie peppermint sticks
  • Homemade butter cookies
  • Holiday cookie recipe
  • Easy peanut butter blossoms
  • Cookies and cream cookies
  • Chocolate cake mix cookies
  • See all our homemade cookie recipes!

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (9)

They will keep up to a week at room temp or for several months in the freezer.

More desserts to enjoy

  • Pistachio fluff recipe
  • Homemade cheese danish
  • Cake balls recipe
  • 7 layer magic bars
  • See all our easy dessert ideas!

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (10)

They make a wonderful new neighbor gift. 🎁

Tools we love

  • Baking sheets – This set is perfect, we use them for everything from roasting, to baking, and even serving.
  • Silicone baking mats– I always always always line with these, nothing sticks!

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (11)

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How to Make Sugar Cookies

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (12)

Sugar Cookie Recipe

This sugar cookie recipe makes a melt-in-your-mouth, soft, chewy cookie that doesn't spread. Perfect for rolled or cut-out cookies!

4.94 from 15 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sugar cookie recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

chill time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 3 dozen

Calories: 97kcal

Author: April Woods

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Mix together flour, baking powder and salt.

  • Cream together butter and sugar with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer. Add in egg and vanilla and mix until well combined.

  • Add flour mixture, mix well.

  • Roll dough into a log wrapped in plastic wrap, allow to chill for at least 2 hours or until dough is firm.

  • Slice cookie log into ¼" to ½" slices and place on cookie sheet.

  • Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes (10 was perfect for us).

Video

Notes

Yields about 3 dozen cookies.

Calories are automatically generated. For best results calculate based on your exact ingredients.

This recipe is adapted from the official Publix sugar cookie recipe.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 97kcal

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Sugar Cookie Recipe

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Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (13)

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Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is are some key tips in ensuring a successful sugar cookie? ›

Sugar Cookie Tips for the Best-Ever Treats
  • Add an Egg Yolk. This is one of those sugar cookie tips you may have heard of before: Add an extra egg yolk to your cookies. ...
  • Use Brown Sugar. ...
  • Chill the Dough. ...
  • Add a Secret Ingredient. ...
  • Keep an Eye on the Clock. ...
  • Store Cookies the Right Way.
Jun 20, 2018

How to make perfect cookies every time? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  1. Always use butter.
  2. Choose the right sugar.
  3. Choose the right flour.
  4. Check your flour is in date.
  5. Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  6. Cream the butter and sugar.
  7. Beat in the eggs.
  8. Fold in the flour.

Do you need to chill sugar cookie dough before baking? ›

Chilling the dough is a key step in making sugar cookies, especially when you're making cut-outs. Even if you're tight on time, make sure to get the dough in the fridge, or even the freezer, even if it's only for a little while. Skip this step, and the dough will be sticky, and much harder to work with.

How to make sugar cookie mix better? ›

Easy Add-In: After creating the dough according to the sugar cookie mix instructions, Add 2 tablespoons of sour cream to create a tangier, cakier and all-around more flavorful cookie. Flavor Twist: For a punchier twist, swap the water in the sugar cookie mix instructions for rum, bourbon or coffee liqueur.

What is the secret to making good cookies? ›

The biggest secret is to not over bake them. Cookies will set once they are out of the oven. Take them out of the oven when they look slightly under baked. Second, depending on the recipe, chilling the dough can make it easier to work with.

What is the secret to making cookies soft? ›

Baking cookies quickly in a hot oven – at 375 degrees F as opposed to a lower temperature – will make for soft results. They'll bake fast instead of sitting and drying out in the oven's hot air. Ever so slightly underbaking your cookies will give you softer results than cooking them the full amount the recipe says.

What are 4 tips to keep in mind while making cookies? ›

My tips are:
  1. weigh your ingredients.
  2. use chopped chocolate bars instead of chips.
  3. make 1 cookie right away and 1 after overnight refrigeration to see how much cold affects spread; depending on the outcome, I leave the dough out a couple hours before baking.
Nov 7, 2020

Do you flatten cookie dough before baking? ›

Flattening the cookie dough provides more surface area that comes into contact with the ice bath, shortening the time it takes to chill. Then submerge the dough in the ice water and let it chill. After 20 minutes the dough will be completely chilled and ready for baking.

How long should sugar cookie dough sit out before rolling? ›

As a general rule of thumb, you should refrigerate cookie dough for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. More than that, and you won't see a noticeable difference in the final product. Once the dough has chilled, let it warm up at room temperature until it's just pliable (about 5 to 10 minutes).

What happens if you don't let sugar cookie dough chill? ›

It can depend on the type of cookie dough, but for the most part, chilling the dough makes it keep its form, and if it has butter in it, prevents the butter from melting. If you don't chill the dough, it will be much softer and not keep its shape as well, both before and during baking.

Can you leave sugar cookie dough overnight? ›

Most cookie dough can be refrigerated, well-wrapped, for 3-5 days before baking. If you want to make it farther in advance, freeze the dough. You can either freeze the entire brick of dough or divide it into portions for quick baking.

Can you over mix sugar cookie dough? ›

Dry – “Dry” or “Crumbly” dough is a product of over-mixing or using too much of any ingredient during the mixing process. This can be reversed by adding one to two tablespoons of liquid (water, milk or softened butter) to your mix.

What makes sugar cookies puff up? ›

Baking soda encourages spreading while baking powder puffs the cookies up. If your recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of baking soda, you would use 3 to 4 teaspoons of baking powder. Caution: This could result in an unwanted flavor shift.

How do you moisten sugar cookie dough? ›

Add more liquid ingredients in small amounts. Milk, egg yolks or egg whites, vanilla extract or even a teaspoon of water can help moisten the dough to give you less crumbly cookies. A little bit of a liquid like milk can also help your cookies spread in the oven to give you a more crispy cookie.

What is the most important thing in cookies? ›

Flour is the main ingredient that provides structure in a cookie – without it, there would be no cookie! The gluten in flour forms a web of sorts – the framework that catches the air bubbles/gasses given off during rising.

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