Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe
If you’re in the mood for a classic, melt-in-your-mouth treat, you cant go wrong with these soft sugar cookies! With their buttery texture and sweet flavor, they’re the perfect dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a party, or just because, these cookies are sure to become a favorite.
One of the best parts about sugar cookies during the holidays is the decorating. Whether you use buttercream icing, royal icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter, the creative possibilities are endless. No matter the holiday, these cookies can be personalized for every occasion, allowing you to get creative and have fun with the designs.
Jump to Recipe
This recipe is easy to follow and requires only simple ingredients, making it perfect for bakers of any skill level. Plus, the dough doesn’t need to chill, so you can have fresh cookies in no time!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies
- Cream the butter and sugars: begin by beating the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This step is key to creating the soft texture.
- Add the eggs and vanilla: Once the butter mixture is fluffy, mix in the eggs, along with the vanilla extract.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until the dough is combined. Being careful to not overmix, we don’t want tough cookies!
- Form the cookies: Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on a baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can flatten them slightly with the bottom of a glass if you prefer a more traditional cookie shape.
- Bake to perfection: Bake the cookies in a preheated 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden, and the centers should still look soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe
These soft sugar cookies are buttery and chewy, perfect for any occasion. With just a few simple ingredients, they’re easy to make and deliciously melt-in-your-mouth!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Icing
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract optional
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Optional: food coloring if you want to add color
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined. The dough will be soft but slightly sticky.
- Form the cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Optionally, you can flatten the cookies slightly with the bottom of a glass or your fingers. Chill cookies for 30 minutes before baking.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may still look soft, but they will firm up as the cookies cool.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Icing
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes)
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Continue to beat the mixture until smooth.
- Slowly add the heavy cream (or milk) and vanilla extract to the mixture. Beat on medium speed until the frosting is light and fluffy. You may need to adjust the consistency by adding more heavy cream if it’s too thick or more powdered sugar if it’s too runny.
- Stir in the salt to balance out the sweetness.
- Optional – Add food coloring: If you want colored icing, divide the frosting into separate bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each, mixing well.
- Once the cookies are cooled, spread a generous layer of this thick, creamy icing over the top using a spatula or spreader. You can even pipe the icing if desired.
Notes
Chill the Dough: If you find the dough is too soft or sticky, chilling it for 30 minutes in the refrigerator can help the cookies hold their shape better when baking.
Baking Time: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. Since they’re soft cookies, they may not spread as much as other cookies. Bake them for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden. The centers should still look soft but will firm up as they cool.
Cooling: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set without falling apart.
Customization: You can easily customize this dough by adding mix-ins like chocolate chips, sprinkles, or even citrus zest (such as lemon or orange) for extra flavor.
Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft. If you want to freeze them, make sure to let them cool completely, and then freeze them in layers separated by parchment paper for up to 3 months.
