The Perfect Buttery Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe for Baking Joy

Sweet memories often bloom from simple chocolate chip sugar cookies that spark joy in every kitchen.

Soft, buttery dough becomes a canvas for delightful memories waiting to unfold.

Baking connects us to childhood moments of laughter and warmth.

Minimal ingredients create maximum happiness with this straightforward treat.

Each bite promises pure comfort and nostalgia.

Friends and relatives will adore these classic cookies that melt in your mouth.

Whip up a batch and watch smiles spread across eager faces.

Sugar Cookies Everyone’s Favorite Snap

• Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe ideal for kitchen newbies wanting to build confidence in baking.
• Little helpers can easily join in measuring, mixing, and scooping dough, turning baking into a fun family activity.
• Customize these cookies with sprinkles, colored sugar, or enjoy them plain – they're delicious in every variation.

Basic Ingredients for Sugar Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides the structure for the sugar cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create a delightful crisp texture.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's soft texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, classic flavor that complements the sweet base.

• Baking Powder, Salt: Help the cookies rise and balance the sweetness with a subtle seasoning.

How to Bake These Easy Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Turn on the oven and set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius to create the perfect baking environment for delicious sugar cookies.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Blend these ingredients until they are evenly combined and smooth.

Step 3: Cream Butter And Sugar

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

Beat these ingredients until they become light, fluffy, and perfectly incorporated.

Step 4: Add Moisture And Flavor

• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Mix thoroughly until the mixture looks smooth and consistent.

Step 5: Combine Wet And Dry Mixtures

Slowly fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients.

Stir gently until everything is just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 6: Prepare Cookie Dough

Use a spoon or cookie scoop to create small rounded portions of dough.

Place these cookie dollops onto an ungreased baking sheet, leaving about two inches of space between each one.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cookie edges turn a light golden color while keeping the centers soft and tender.

Insider Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies

• Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to ensure smooth, even mixing without over-beating.
• Spoon flour into measuring cup and level with a knife to prevent dense, tough cookies by avoiding packed flour.
• Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain crisp edges.
• Watch cookies closely and remove when edges are just golden, as they'll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal.
• Add lemon zest, almond extract, or sprinkle with colored sugar before baking to create unique variations of this classic recipe.

How to Keep Sugar Cookies Soft and Fresh

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper for up to 5 days. Separate layers with wax paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual cookies or whole batches tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies on a microwave-safe plate for 10-15 seconds. Check carefully to avoid overcooking, which can make them tough and dry.
• Revive slightly stale cookies by placing them on a baking sheet and warming at 300F for 3-5 minutes. This method restores their soft texture and brings back that fresh-baked warmth.

Serving Ideas with Sugar Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Chai Latte: Warm, spiced chai tea complements the sweet, buttery sugar cookies perfectly. The cardamom and cinnamon notes in the chai enhance the vanilla undertones of the cookies.
• Create a Holiday Wine Companion: Serve with a light moscato or sweet dessert wine. The fruity, delicate wine balances the simple sweetness of the sugar cookies without overpowering their delicate flavor.
• Match with Rich Hot Chocolate: Decadent hot chocolate provides a luxurious contrast to the crisp, light sugar cookies. The chocolate's depth and warmth create a comforting dessert experience.
• Elevate with Fresh Berry Compote: Serve alongside a quick strawberry or raspberry compote. The bright, tart fruit sauce cuts through the cookie's sweetness and adds a fresh, vibrant dimension to the dessert.

Sugar Cookie Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Sugar Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use a flax egg (ground flaxseed mixed with water) instead of traditional egg.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener in place of granulated sugar for diabetic-friendly version, reducing overall sugar content.
• Chocolate Chip Variation: Fold in mini chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate into the cookie dough before baking for extra flavor complexity.

FAQs

• Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While you can substitute margarine, butter provides better flavor and texture. Cookies made with butter will have a richer taste and more traditional sugar cookie texture.

• How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps the butter firm up and prevents excessive spreading, ensuring your cookies maintain a nice shape.

• Is it necessary to use room temperature ingredients?

Yes, room temperature butter and egg blend more smoothly and evenly, creating a better cookie consistency. Cold ingredients can make the dough lumpy and affect the final texture.

• Can I decorate these sugar cookies?

Absolutely! Once cooled, you can frost them with royal icing, sprinkle with colored sugar, or add simple decorative details using melted chocolate or glaze.

Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet and buttery Sugar Cookies invite home bakers into a world of classic comfort and delightful simplicity. Crisp edges, delicate centers, and a sprinkle of joy make these treats perfect companions for afternoon tea or midnight snacking.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 large egg
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancer:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C), ensuring an even temperature for consistent baking.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient base.
3. Use an electric mixer to blend softened butter and granulated sugar, whipping until the mixture becomes airy and pale.
4. Incorporate a single egg into the butter-sugar mixture, then add vanilla extract, mixing until completely smooth and well-integrated.
5. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
6. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded portions onto ungreased baking sheets, maintaining adequate spacing to allow for slight spreading.
7. Place cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges while keeping the centers soft and slightly underbaked.

Notes

• Achieve perfectly soft cookies by slightly underbaking, allowing residual heat to complete the cooking process while maintaining a tender texture.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create more structured, uniform cookies with crisp edges.
• Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring the same delightful taste and texture.
• Experiment with flavor variations by adding citrus zest, almond extract, or rolling cookies in colored sugar for festive and personalized touch.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 151
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 58 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 23 mg