There’s nothing quite like the sweet, buttery taste of a homemade sugar cookie fresh from the oven. These classic treats are beloved for their rich, slightly crisp edges and soft, chewy centers. From decorating them for holidays to satisfying a simple sweet tooth craving, a great sugar cookie recipe is a must-have in your baking repertoire.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about making the ultimate soft and chewy sugar cookies from scratch. We’ll explore what makes a perfect sugar cookie, demystify the ingredients, walk through the baking process step-by-step, share decorating tips, and answer common questions. Get ready for cookie perfection!
What Are Sugar Cookies?
Sugar cookies are rich, buttery cookies with a slightly crisp exterior and soft, chewy interior. Unlike chocolate chip or other flavored cookies, sugar cookies have a simple, sweet flavor that comes from their primary ingredients: sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla.
These versatile cookies are popular for decorating for holidays and special occasions. Their flat shape and relatively bland flavor make an ideal blank canvas for frosting, sprinkles, and other decorative toppings. However, even unadorned, a perfect sugar cookie is a heavenly little treat.
Sugar Cookie Recipe Ingredients
To make awesome sugar cookies from scratch, you’ll need these basic ingredients:
- Butter (salted or unsalted)
- White granulated sugar
- Egg(s)
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
Some bakers opt to use vegetable shortening instead of butter or a combination of the two for an extra rich, tender texture. Using room temperature ingredients is crucial for proper blending.
You can play around with mix-ins like spices (cinnamon, nutmeg), citrus zests, or even cream cheese. But for a classic, pure sugar cookie flavor, you’ll want to stick to this simple ingredient list.
How to Make Sugar Cookies (Step-by-Step)
Follow this easy step-by-step process for perfect homemade sugar cookies every time:
Creaming Butter and Sugar
The first step is creaming together the butter and sugar until they are light, pale yellow, and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the dough for an amazing melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer. Beat the room temperature butter for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy. Gradually add in the white granulated sugar and continue beating for 2-3 minutes until very pale and fluffy.
Adding Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add in the dry ingredients to the creamed butter/sugar mixture. Mix just until a dough starts to form, being careful not to overmix.
Finally, mix in the egg(s) and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The dough will be thick.
Chilling the Dough
Chilling the dough is a crucial, non-negotiable step! Chilling the dough:
- Allows the dry ingredients to fully hydrate for better flavor
- Prevents the cookies from overspreading in the oven
- Results in thicker, softer cookies
Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but preferably 1-3 hours or up to 3 days. You can bake straight from the fridge for maximum thickness.
Rolling and Cutting Shapes
Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to around 1/4 inch thickness. Any thicker and the cookies may not bake through completely.
Use your favorite cookie cutter shapes to cut out the dough. Dip the cutter in flour before each cut to prevent sticking. Arrange the shaped cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
Baking Process
Bake the sugar cookies at 350°F (177°C) for 8-10 minutes. They’ll be lightly browned around the edges but still look pale in the center when done.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
| Baking Tips |
|---|
| – Use light colored baking sheets for even browning |
| – Rotate baking sheets halfway through baking time |
| – Underbaked is better than overbaked for soft middles |
Decorating Sugar Cookies
Decorating sugar cookies for holidays or special occasions is a beloved tradition! You can keep it simple with sprinkles or get really creative with royal icing and decorating tips.
Some topping ideas:
Icing or Glaze
- Royal icing – dries hard with a smooth finish
- Buttercream frosting
- Simple powdered sugar glaze
Decorations
- Sprinkles
- Colored sanding sugar
- Crushed candy canes
- Chocolate or peanut butter drizzle
“Decorating Christmas cookies was a favorite tradition growing up. My siblings and I would spend hours carefully decorating every single one.” – Celebrity Baker Quote
Check out tutorials on techniques like:
- Flooding cookies with royal icing
- Creating marbled effects
- Using decorating bags and tips
- Stenciling designs with luster dust
Part of the fun is getting creative with holiday designs, colors, and patterns!
Storage and Freezing Tips
Cooled baked sugar cookies will keep fresh for 4-5 days stored in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
For longer-term storage, you can freeze the unbaked cookie dough for up to 3 months as well. Roll the dough into balls or shape into a disk before freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling/baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my sugar cookies spread too much while baking? This is usually caused by the dough being too warm before baking. Make sure to chill the dough for the recommended time. Room temperature can also cause spreading.
Can I substitute brown sugar for the white granulated sugar?
For a true sugar cookie texture and flavor, it’s best to use all white granulated sugar. Brown sugar will add a more molasses/caramel flavor and make the cookies softer.
Help! My dough seems too dry and crumbly. What did I do wrong? If your dough seems overly dry or crumbly, you may have accidentally overmeasured the dry ingredients or undermeasured the wet. Try adding a tablespoon or two of milk or cream to moisten the dough.
How can I make my sugar cookies softer in the middle?
Rolling the dough slightly thicker (around 1/2 inch) and baking just until the edges start to lightly brown will give you ultra soft, pillowy middles.
Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (Summary)
This classic sugar cookie recipe checks all the boxes – crisp edges, soft chewy centers, buttery rich taste, and endless versatility. By following these easy steps, chilling the dough, and not overbaking, you’ll achieve cookie perfection.
Decorate them for the holidays with festive sprinkles and icing or enjoy them simple with a cold glass of milk. However you serve them, these homemade sugar cookies are guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends.
So grab your baking supplies and give this tried-and-true, top-rated recipe a try today! Your inner cookie monster will thank you.