Nothing beats the comforting aroma of freshly baked sugar cookies wafting through your kitchen.
Whether you’re baking for the holidays, special occasions, or simply craving something sweet, these six time-tested recipes will help you create the perfect batch every time.
From classic butter-rich cookies to innovative variations with unique flavor twists, you’ll discover options for soft and chewy, crisp and snappy, or perfectly balanced textures.
These foolproof recipes feature step-by-step instructions and expert tips to ensure your sugar cookies turn out just right.
Classic Buttery Drop Sugar Cookies
These melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies are the perfect combination of crispy edges and soft centers.
Unlike rolled sugar cookies, these drop cookies require no chilling or cutting, making them a quick and delightful treat you can whip up whenever your sweet tooth calls.
Ingredients:
• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup softened butter
• 1½ cups white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl.
Step 3: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Step 4: Beat in egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 5: Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined.
Step 6: Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then coat in granulated sugar.
Step 7: Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
Step 8: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
Step 9: Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
Pro Tip: For the perfect texture, remove cookies from the oven when the edges are just starting to turn golden but the centers still look slightly underbaked. They’ll continue to set as they cool, giving you that ideal soft and chewy middle with crispy edges.
Soft-Baked Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Indulge in these heavenly soft-baked cream cheese sugar cookies that melt in your mouth with every bite.
The addition of cream cheese creates an incredibly tender texture while adding a subtle tanginess that perfectly balances the sweetness.
These cookies maintain their softness for days, making them perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or weekend treats.
Ingredients:
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup sugar (for rolling)
Instructions:
Step 1: Beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes).
Step 2: Add sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Step 3: Mix in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 5: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Step 6: Chill dough for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Step 7: Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 8: Roll dough into 1½-inch balls, coat in sugar, and place on baking sheets.
Step 9: Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Step 10: Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Pro Tip: For the perfectly soft texture, don’t overbake these cookies – they should look slightly underdone when you remove them from the oven. Make sure your cream cheese and butter are truly at room temperature for the best consistency in your dough.
Crispy-Edge Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies
Transform your ordinary sugar cookies into something extraordinary with these crispy-edged vanilla bean delights.
These cookies offer the perfect combination of a slightly crunchy exterior and a tender center, while real vanilla beans provide an intense, authentic flavor that makes them irresistible.
Ingredients:
• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup softened butter
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 vanilla beans, scraped
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons whole milk
• Extra sugar for rolling
Step 1: Whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Step 3: Beat in egg, scraped vanilla beans, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 4: Gradually mix in dry ingredients, alternating with milk, until a smooth dough forms.
Step 5: Chill dough for 1 hour.
Step 6: Preheat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 7: Roll dough into 1-inch balls, coat in sugar, and place on prepared sheets.
Step 8: Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass.
Step 9: Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are golden brown.
Step 10: Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack.
Pro Tip: For the crispiest edges, make sure to space your cookies at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Also, don’t skip the chilling time – it’s crucial for achieving that perfect crispy-edge texture.
No-Chill Roll-Out Sugar Cookies
These classic sugar cookies are a baker’s dream – no chilling required!
Unlike traditional recipes that demand hours of refrigeration, these cookies go straight from mixing bowl to oven.
You’ll love how the dough maintains its shape perfectly while baking, creating crisp edges with a soft, buttery center that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Beat softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Step 3: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 5: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Step 6: Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness.
Step 7: Cut with your favorite cookie cutters and transfer to prepared baking sheets.
Step 8: Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Step 9: Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Pro Tip: For the best results, make sure your butter is softened but not melted – it should indent slightly when pressed with your finger. If your dough becomes sticky while rolling, dust your work surface and rolling pin with a little extra flour rather than chilling the dough.
Brown Sugar Chai-Spiced Sugar Cookies
Brown Sugar Chai-Spiced Sugar Cookies combine the warm, aromatic spices of chai tea with the rich sweetness of brown sugar to create perfectly chewy cookies with crispy edges.
These cookies offer a sophisticated twist on traditional sugar cookies, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or afternoon tea.
Ingredients:
• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1½ cups dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Step 1: Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and all spices in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Step 3: Add egg and vanilla to the butter mixture, beating until well combined.
Step 4: Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
Step 5: Chill dough for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 7: Roll dough into 1-inch balls, coat in granulated sugar, and place on prepared sheets.
Step 8: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Step 9: Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the chilling time – it prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking. For the best chai flavor, make sure your spices are fresh, as ground spices lose potency over time.
Lemon Glazed Sugar Cookies
These soft, buttery sugar cookies with a tangy lemon glaze will brighten up your day with their perfect balance of sweet and citrus flavors.
The cookies maintain their pillowy texture while the glaze adds a delightful crackly finish that makes them irresistible for any occasion.
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Lemon Glaze:
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
Step 1: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Step 3: Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.
Step 4: Gradually stir in dry ingredients until just combined.
Step 5: Chill dough for 1 hour.
Step 6: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on lined baking sheets.
Step 7: Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Step 8: Mix glaze ingredients until smooth.
Step 9: Once cookies are completely cool, dip tops in glaze and let set.
Pro Tip: For the perfect glaze consistency, add lemon juice gradually until you achieve a thick but dippable texture. Always zest your lemons before juicing them to maximize your citrus flavor potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients make sugar cookies soft and chewy?
Using cream cheese and extra egg yolks creates perfectly soft sugar cookies. Add cornstarch to your dry ingredients to enhance the chewy texture and prevent spreading.
How long should you chill sugar cookie dough before baking?
Chill your sugar cookie dough for at least 2 hours, preferably 4 hours. This prevents spreading during baking and helps the cookies maintain their shape.
What’s the ideal baking temperature for sugar cookies?
Bake sugar cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes. Remove them when edges are slightly golden but centers still look slightly underbaked for perfect results.
How can you prevent sugar cookies from spreading while baking?
Use cold butter and avoid overmixing the dough. Make sure to use parchment paper on cool baking sheets and maintain proper oven temperature.
What’s the best way to decorate sugar cookies that will set properly?
Use royal icing made with meringue powder for clean edges and quick setting. Add decorations while icing is still wet for secure adherence.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve explored these delightful sugar cookie recipes, you can confidently choose the perfect version for your next baking session.
Whether you prefer classic buttery cookies, soft and chewy centers, or crispy edges, these recipes offer something for everyone.
Remember to chill your dough properly, keep an eye on baking times, and don’t overbake – sugar cookies continue to set as they cool.
With these tried-and-tested recipes and tips in your arsenal, you’ll create perfect sugar cookies every time.
