Quick & Sweet: Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe for Happy Baking

Sweet memories often spark when you whip up an easy sugar cookies recipe that fills kitchens with warm, buttery aromas.

Childhood nostalgia drifts through the air as simple ingredients transform into delicate, golden treats.

Soft and crisp edges promise delightful textures that melt perfectly on your tongue.

Baking these classic cookies requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.

Minimal kitchen skills work wonderfully for crafting these delectable delights that everyone adores.

Sprinkle some love into each batch, and watch smiles bloom across eager faces.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s create something magical that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Flavor Variations for Easy Sugar Cookies

• Holiday Sugar Cookies: Add colorful sprinkles or festive food coloring to create seasonal-themed cookies for Christmas, Halloween, or Valentine's Day.
• Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies: Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough for a classic sweet enhancement that kids and adults will love.
• Lemon Zest Sugar Cookies: Mix fresh lemon zest into the dough for a bright, citrusy flavor that adds a refreshing tang to the traditional recipe.
• Almond Crunch Sugar Cookies: Sprinkle chopped almonds on top before baking to introduce a delightful nutty crunch and extra texture.

Delicious Pairings for Easy Sugar Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Hot Chocolate: Indulge in a rich, velvety hot chocolate that complements the sweet, buttery sugar cookies perfectly. The warmth and creaminess balance the cookie's delicate texture.
• Match with Fresh Vanilla Latte: Brew a smooth vanilla latte that echoes the cookie's subtle vanilla notes. The coffee's warmth and slight bitterness create a delightful contrast with the cookie's sweetness.
• Serve with Chilled Almond Milk: Pour a cold glass of almond milk to highlight the cookie's almond extract undertones. The nutty, cool beverage provides a refreshing counterpoint to the warm, sweet treat.
• Enjoy with Light Fruit Sorbet: Offer a scoop of tangy lemon or raspberry sorbet alongside the cookies.

How to Store Easy Sugar Cookies Properly

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep layers separated to prevent sticking. Cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days when refrigerated.
• Wrap individual cookies or entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, place on baking sheet and warm in oven at 275F for 3-5 minutes to restore softness and fresh-baked taste.
• Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place sheet of bread inside container to maintain moisture and prevent cookies from becoming dry.

Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Sugar Cookies

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate additional salt in the recipe to prevent the cookies from becoming too salty.

• How can I make the cookies more colorful?

Decorate with colored frosting, sprinkles, or food-safe edible glitter after the cookies have completely cooled.

• Is it necessary to chill the dough before baking?

While not required for this recipe, chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help prevent spreading and create slightly thicker cookies.

• Can I freeze the cookie dough for later use?

Absolutely! Roll the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

What Makes These Easy Sugar Cookies So Popular

• Bake with Minimal Fuss: This sugar cookie recipe requires simple ingredients and basic mixing steps, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned home cooks.
• Create Quick Family Treats: Prepare delightful cookies in under a half-hour, providing a speedy solution for satisfying sweet cravings or surprising loved ones with a homemade dessert.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: These classic sugar cookies work wonderfully for multiple occasions like school parties, holiday gatherings, or casual weekend baking sessions with kids, delivering consistent deliciousness every single time.
• Customize with Ease: Add sprinkles, frosting, or decorative touches to transform these basic cookies into personalized treats that match any celebration or mood, offering endless creative possibilities.

Simple Ingredients for Easy Sugar Cookies

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that provides tender texture and delicious flavor to the sugar cookies.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, golden-brown cookie with a delicate crumb.
• Flour: The main structural ingredient that gives the cookies their classic shape and consistency.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's soft texture.

• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Provide a warm, aromatic depth of flavor that makes these sugar cookies extra special.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly and creates a light, tender crumb structure.

Baking Easy Sugar Cookies Made Simple

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350°F (175°C), creating the perfect toasty environment for your sweet treats.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sugar

In a mixing bowl, blend butter and sugar together until they transform into a creamy, smooth mixture that looks light and fluffy.

Step 3: Add Flavor Boosters

• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Egg

Blend everything until perfectly combined and looking silky.

Step 4: Create Cookie Dough

• Baking powder
• Flour

Mix until a soft, delightful dough forms that’s ready to become delicious cookies.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Balls

Roll small spoonfuls of dough into cute little balls, placing them carefully on ungreased cookie sheets with plenty of space between each one.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the cookie sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch for those beautiful golden edges that signal your cookies are ready.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Transfer your freshly baked cookies onto wire racks, letting them cool down and become wonderfully crisp before diving in for a sweet nibble.

Tips for Perfect Easy Sugar Cookies Every Time

• Swap almond extract with extra vanilla for a classic flavor if you prefer less complexity.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain clean cookie shapes.
• Use parchment paper on baking sheets for easier cleanup and prevent cookies from sticking.
• For softer cookies, remove from oven when edges are just slightly golden and centers look slightly underbaked.
• Decorate with colored sugar or simple royal icing for festive touch and added sweetness.

Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 23-25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Homemade sugar cookies elevate classic baking with simple ingredients and foolproof techniques. Sweet memories of childhood comfort dance across delicate, crisp edges that welcome warm conversations and shared moments with loved ones.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 grams) butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar
• 1 egg

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour

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Instructions

1. Prepare workspace by setting oven temperature to 350°F and gathering mixing equipment.
2. Combine softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl, using electric mixer to create a smooth, creamy texture.
3. Incorporate vanilla and almond extracts with egg, blending thoroughly until mixture becomes light and fluffy.
4. Gently fold dry ingredients – baking powder and flour – into wet mixture, stirring until a consistent dough forms.
5. Shape dough into small, uniform spheres approximately the size of a rounded teaspoon.
6. Arrange cookie balls on ungreased baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between each piece.
7. Slide cookie sheet into preheated oven, baking for 8-10 minutes until edges develop a delicate golden hue.
8. Remove cookies from oven and transfer to wire cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature before serving.

Notes

• Swap butter for coconut oil to create a dairy-free version that’s equally delicious and tender.
• Use gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly recipe without compromising the classic sugar cookie texture.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain a perfect round shape during baking.
• Add festive sprinkles or colored sugar before baking to transform these simple cookies into eye-catching treats for any celebration.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 155
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 78 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg