There is nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked sugar cookies wafting through the kitchen. Whether you are baking for a holiday, a birthday party, or just a cozy weekend treat, finding the perfect recipe is key. These cookies hit the sweet spot with their delightfully soft centers, slightly crisp edges, and a rich buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. Unlike other recipes that turn out dry or lose their shape in the oven, this tried-and-true recipe guarantees perfectly defined edges every single time. It is a wonderful activity to share with family, allowing everyone to get creative with colorful icings and sprinkles. Gather your ingredients, dust off your rolling pin, and get ready to create memories with the ultimate sugar cookie recipe.
Helpful Tips
- Ensure your butter is truly at room temperature but not melty; it should yield slightly when pressed with your thumb.
- Chilling the dough is an absolute must to prevent the cookies from spreading in the oven and losing their shape.
- For a fun variation, replace the almond extract with lemon zest or warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Spoon and level your flour rather than scooping directly from the bag, which can pack too much flour and result in dry cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, beating on high speed until completely combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until a cohesive dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll each portion out between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Stack the parchment sheets with the rolled-out dough onto a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours, or up to 2 days, until firm.
- Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Re-roll the remaining scraps and repeat.
- Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
- Bake for 8 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are very lightly golden. Do not overbake; they will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before decorating.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Shopping List
- Dairy: 1 cup unsalted butter
- Dairy: 1 large egg
- Pantry: 1 cup granulated sugar
- Pantry: 3 cups all-purpose flour
- Pantry: 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Pantry: 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Pantry: 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Pantry: 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Stand mixer or hand electric mixer
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
Variations & Serving Ideas
These versatile cookies are perfect for decorating with royal icing, buttercream frosting, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar. Serve them at room temperature alongside a glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or a freshly brewed cup of coffee. To store, place the decorated or plain cookies in an airtight container with layers separated by parchment paper for up to one week at room temperature, or freeze the undecorated cookies for up to three months.
We hope you love baking and decorating these delicious sugar cookies as much as we do! Please leave a comment below to let us know how your cookies turned out and what fun designs you created!
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