Sugar cookies are a timeless treat that everyone loves, offering a sweet, buttery flavor with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a special occasion, or simply because you want something delicious, this sugar cookie recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know to make the perfect batch of sugar cookies, including the ingredients, preparation steps, tips for achieving the perfect texture, variations to customize your cookies, and ideas for serving. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe will guide you through the process with ease.
Ingredients: What You’ll Need
Before you get started, gather all the necessary ingredients for your sugar cookies. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The base of the dough, giving the cookies structure.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and gives them a soft texture.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Adds a little extra fluffiness to the cookies.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature: Gives the cookies their buttery flavor and soft texture.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: For sweetness and a little crunch.
- 1 large egg: Binds the dough together and contributes to the cookies’ tenderness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and adds a lovely aromatic flavor.
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional): Adds a subtle, nutty flavor to complement the sweetness of the cookies.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the cookies.
Preparation Steps: How to Make Sugar Cookies
Making sugar cookies is a straightforward process, but there are a few key steps to ensure the best results. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your delicious sugar cookies.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure that your cookies bake evenly and come out just right. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these ingredients together to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt throughout the flour. Set this mixture aside for later.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process usually takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. The key here is to ensure that the butter and sugar are fully incorporated, as this will give your cookies their signature texture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 4: Add the Egg and Extracts
Once the butter and sugar mixture is creamy, add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Beat the mixture until it’s well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 5: Gradually Add the Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, about a cup at a time. Mix on low speed to avoid flour flying everywhere. Once all the flour mixture is added, continue mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
This is a crucial step! Refrigerating the dough allows the flavors to meld and makes the dough easier to handle when rolling it out. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. If you’re short on time, even a quick 15-minute chill will help.
Step 7: Roll and Shape the Cookies
Once the dough has chilled, take it out of the fridge and divide it into smaller portions. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking. Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut the dough into your desired shapes. Traditional sugar cookies are often round, but feel free to get creative with stars, hearts, or other fun shapes, especially for holidays and special events.
If you prefer, you can also roll the dough into balls and flatten them with the bottom of a glass to create simple, round cookies.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Place the shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t over-bake; the cookies should look slightly underdone in the center as they will continue to cook on the baking sheet once removed from the oven.
Step 9: Cool the Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 2 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This helps the cookies firm up and prevents them from breaking.
Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies
To make sure your sugar cookies come out perfectly every time, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Once the flour is incorporated, stop mixing.
- Chill the Dough: Always refrigerate your dough before rolling it out. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Use Room Temperature Butter: Cold butter will not cream properly with the sugar, so make sure it’s softened to room temperature before mixing.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Too much flour can make the cookies dense and dry. For accuracy, use the spoon-and-level method to measure flour.
- Check Oven Temperature: Oven temperatures can vary, so be sure to check your cookies a minute or two before the suggested baking time to ensure they don’t burn.
Variations to Try
One of the best things about sugar cookies is how versatile they are. You can easily customize them with a few simple changes to the recipe. Here are some fun variations to try:
1. Sprinkles
Add festive sprinkles to the cookies before baking. Simply roll the cookie dough in colored sprinkles or place them on top of the cookies for a pop of color.
2. Frosting
For a richer sugar cookie experience, frost your cookies with buttercream or royal icing once they’ve cooled. Decorate with piping bags for more intricate designs, or simply spread the frosting with a spatula for a more casual look.
3. Lemon Sugar Cookies
For a refreshing twist, add the zest of one lemon to the dough. You can also add a little lemon juice to the frosting for an extra zing.
4. Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookies
Melt some chocolate and dip half of each cookie into the melted chocolate. Let the chocolate set before serving for a delicious chocolatey addition.
5. Cinnamon Sugar
Roll the cookie dough balls in a mixture of 1 tablespoon cinnamon and ½ cup sugar before baking. This adds a lovely cinnamon flavor to the cookies and gives them a nice texture.
Serving Suggestions
Sugar cookies are incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. Here are some ideas for serving them:
- As a Snack: Sugar cookies are perfect for a quick snack with a cup of tea or coffee.
- For Parties and Holidays: Serve them at holiday gatherings or birthday parties. You can decorate them to match the theme of the event, such as using red and green sprinkles for Christmas or pastel-colored frosting for Easter.
- As Gifts: Wrap them up in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons for a homemade gift. You can even customize the cookies to suit the recipient’s tastes, like adding their favorite colors or flavors.
Conclusion: Your Go-To Sugar Cookie Recipe
This sugar cookie recipe is simple, yet yields cookies that are soft, buttery, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a special event or just craving a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to satisfy. By following the steps and tips outlined above, you can achieve the perfect texture and flavor every time.
Sugar Cookie Recipe
Description
These classic sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and delicious with a slight crisp on the edges. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are simple to make with pantry staple ingredients and offer the ideal balance of sweetness. Whether you're baking for a holiday or just craving a treat, this easy sugar cookie recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
Instructions
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar using an electric mixer or by hand until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
Add the Egg and Extracts
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and mix until well incorporated.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Chill the Dough
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing it to firm up. This step prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets
- Preheat the oven to 175°C and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Shape the Cookies
- Once the dough is chilled, scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls. Roll each ball of dough in the remaining ½ cup of granulated sugar to coat.
Bake the Cookies
- Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each cookie slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is just set.
Cool the Cookies
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Note
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze for longer storage.
Variations: You can add sprinkles, colored sugar, or even a dash of cinnamon to the dough for added flavor. For a twist, substitute half of the vanilla extract with lemon zest or orange zest for a citrusy aroma.
Tip: Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
