Bake Joy: Irresistible Sugar Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Soft, buttery sugar cookies that melt deliciously in your mouth bring pure joy to any gathering.

These classic sugar cookies capture the essence of homemade comfort and sweet indulgence.

With a perfectly crisp edge and tender center, this sugar cookies recipe delivers bakery-quality treats right from your kitchen.

Simple ingredients combine to create magic that fills your home with warmth and irresistible aroma.

Each bite promises a heavenly balance of sweetness and richness that makes everyone smile.

The secret lies in using quality butter and precise mixing techniques that guarantee a perfect texture.

Bake these cookies and watch as they become an instant favorite at every celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 25

What Goes Intoful Sugar Cookies

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, smooth foundation with creamy texture; choose high-quality butter for best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create light, airy cookie structure; look for fine, uniform crystals.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, deep flavor complexity; opt for pure extract over imitation for authentic taste.
• Almond Extract: Introduces subtle nutty undertone; use sparingly to prevent overpowering other ingredients.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture; select fresh, room-temperature egg for smooth incorporation.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie's structure and texture; sift to remove lumps and ensure even mixing.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become tender; check expiration date for maximum leavening power.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile; use fine-grain table salt for even distribution.

Utensils That Help Withful Sugar Cookies

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar smoothly, and mixing ingredients thoroughly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: One for wet ingredients, another for dry ingredients to keep everything organized.
• Rolling Pin: Perfect for rolling out cookie dough evenly to the right thickness.
• Cookie Cutters: Helps create fun shapes for your delightful sugar cookies.
• Baking Sheets: Provides a flat surface for baking cookies evenly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps scrape and mix ingredients when needed.

Instructions to Shape and Bakeful Sugar Cookies

• Oven Warmup

Set the oven to a cozy 350°F, allowing it to heat up while you prepare your sweet treats.

• Butter and Sugar Dance

Grab your mixer and whirl the butter and sugar together until they become a silky, creamy blend that looks like a fluffy cloud.

• Flavor Fusion

Drop in your favorite extracts and a fresh egg, blending them into the creamy mixture with a gentle swirl.

• Dry Ingredient Harmony

In a separate bowl, softly combine flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt, creating a delicate powder mixture.

• Cookie Dough Magic

Slowly introduce the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until everything just comes together. If the dough feels shy and crumbly, give it a few extra gentle stirs.

• Dough Shaping

Dust your workspace with a sprinkle of flour. Roll out the dough into a smooth canvas, ready for creative cookie cutting.

• Cookie Transformation

Use playful cookie cutters to create delightful shapes. Arrange these little beauties on a baking sheet, leaving some breathing room between them.

• Golden Moment

Slide the tray into the warm oven. Watch closely as they turn a perfect golden color, typically around 6-8 minutes.

• Cooling Celebration

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a cooling rack where they can cool down and become wonderfully crisp.

Helpful Tricks for Betterful Sugar Cookies

• Texture Magic: Knead the dough gently with slightly damp hands to prevent cracking and ensure a smooth, even surface for perfect cookie shapes.
• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with different extract combinations like orange, lemon, or peppermint to create unique taste profiles that surprise your taste buds.
• Smart Decorating: Let cookies cool completely before adding frosting or sprinkles to prevent melting and maintain crisp, clean decoration edges.
• Storage Secrets: Keep sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture.
• Freezing Technique: Prepare cookie dough in advance and freeze for up to 3 months, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for spontaneous baking adventures anytime.

Serveful Sugar Cookies With a Twist

• Sweet Celebration Companions: Pair these delightful sugar cookies with a steaming mug of hot cocoa or classic vanilla latte for a cozy treat that warms your heart.
• Holiday Decorating Delight: Transform these cookies into festive masterpieces by using royal icing, colorful sprinkles, and creative piping techniques to match seasonal themes like Christmas, Halloween, or birthday parties.
• Tea Time Elegance: Arrange these delicate sugar cookies on a beautiful platter alongside your favorite tea selection – perfect for afternoon gatherings with friends or elegant brunch settings.
• Kid-Friendly Fun Station: Create a cookie decorating activity where children can use various frostings, edible glitters, and small candies to personalize their own sweet creations, turning baking into an interactive and memorable experience.

Keepful Sugar Cookies Tasting Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Wrap cooled sugar cookies in plastic wrap or place in airtight containers. Keep them chilled for up to 5 days to maintain their fresh, delicate texture and prevent moisture buildup.
• Freezing Friendly Approach: Layer cookies between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for 3 months when sealed tightly. Thaw at room temperature for optimal taste and softness.
• Smart Batch Preparation: Make dough ahead and refrigerate for 24 hours before baking. This technique intensifies flavor and allows for convenient, stress-free cookie creation during busy weeks.
• Room Temperature Storage Trick: Store decorated or undecorated cookies in a sealed container away from direct sunlight. Keep them at consistent room temperature, ensuring they remain crisp and enjoyable for several days without losing their delightful crunch.

Sweet Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Grandma’s classic sugar cookies blend nostalgic sweetness with simple ingredients. Crisp edges and tender centers promise delightful moments shared with loved ones you’ll cherish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (360 grams / 12.7 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226 grams / 8 oz) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200 grams / 7 oz) granulated white sugar
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) almond extract
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt

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Instructions

1. Mixing Foundations: Cream softened butter and sugar in an electric mixer until the mixture becomes supremely light and airy, creating a silky smooth base.
2. Liquid Integration: Incorporate vanilla and almond extracts with egg, blending until the mixture achieves a uniform, glossy consistency with no visible separation.
3. Dry Component Preparation: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, ensuring a lump-free and evenly distributed dry ingredient mixture.
4. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, using minimal strokes to prevent overworking the dough, maintaining a tender cookie texture.
5. Dough Refinement: Knead dough briefly on a lightly floured surface, adjusting moisture with fingertips if necessary to create a smooth, malleable consistency.
6. Shaping and Cutting: Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured countertop, then use decorative cookie cutters to create precise shapes with clean edges.
7. Baking Process: Arrange cookie shapes on a lined baking sheet, placing them with slight separation, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F until edges turn delicately golden.
8. Cooling and Finishing: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for several minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling, ensuring a perfect crisp texture.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Use room-temperature butter for smooth, creamy mixing and optimal cookie texture – prevents dense, tough cookies.
• Dough Handling Technique: Avoid overworking the dough to maintain a tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency that defines perfect sugar cookies.
• Flour Measurement Precision: Spoon and level flour instead of scooping directly from the container to ensure accurate measurements and prevent dry, crumbly cookies.
• Chilling Dough Advantage: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before rolling to enhance flavor, prevent spreading, and create cleaner cookie cut-outs.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg