Description
These Best Easy Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating, gifting, or enjoying as a quick dessert. This easy recipe is great for holiday baking, birthday parties, cookie trays, lunchbox treats, dessert ideas, and simple food ideas when you want a classic homemade cookie with crisp edges and tender centers.
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract, optional
2 tablespoons powdered sugar or flour, for rolling
1/4 cup sprinkles or sanding sugar, optional
Instructions
1. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly combined.
2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light, creamy, and fluffy.
3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, then beat until smooth.
4. Add the dry ingredients in two additions and mix on low speed just until the dough comes together.
5. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap tightly, and chill for 30 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Lightly dust a work surface with powdered sugar or flour, then roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
8. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops look pale.
10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Notes
Chill the dough before rolling so the cookies hold their shape better in the oven.
Do not overbake the cookies. Pull them out when the edges are set but the tops are still pale.
For cleaner cut-out shapes, chill the cut cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 58mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 28mg
Keywords: best easy sugar cookies, easy sugar cookies, soft sugar cookies, homemade sugar cookies, cut out sugar cookies, holiday baking, dessert ideas, easy recipe