Name: Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; Sprinkles; Colored sugar; Royal icing or frosting

Jump to Recipe·Leave a Review

This Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe makes soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet cookies that are great for holidays, birthdays, or everyday treats! These cookies hold their shape well and are perfect for cut-out designs or decorating with icing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: Basic pantry staples—no fancy ingredients needed.
Soft & Buttery Texture: Perfectly chewy with crisp edges.
No-Chill Dough Option: Ready to bake in minutes!
Versatile & Customizable: Great for cut-out shapes, sprinkles, or frosting.
Perfect for Decorating: Holds its shape well for icing and decorations.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Unsalted butter, softened
Granulated sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract
All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt

Directions

Step 1: Make the Dough

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Mix in egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until a dough forms.

Step 2: Roll & Cut

Roll out the dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness.
Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then transfer to the baking sheet.

Step 3: Bake

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Let cookies cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 4: Decorate (Optional)

Decorate with frosting, sprinkles, or royal icing as desired.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Total Time: ~25 minutes

Variations

Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest for a citrus twist.
Chocolate Sugar Cookies: Replace ¼ cup flour with cocoa powder.
Almond-Flavored Cookies: Use ½ teaspoon almond extract instead of vanilla.
Cinnamon Sugar Cookies: Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Freeze dough for up to 3 months. Thaw before rolling and baking.
Reheating: Enjoy at room temperature or warm in the microwave for 5-10 seconds.

FAQs

Can I make these without chilling the dough?

Yes! The dough holds its shape without chilling, but chilling for 30 minutes helps with cut-out cookies.

How do I keep my sugar cookies soft?

Don’t overbake! Remove from the oven when edges are just golden.

Can I use salted butter?

Yes, but reduce the added salt to ¼ teaspoon.

How do I make the dough easier to roll?

If sticky, add a light dusting of flour while rolling.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes! Simply double all ingredients and bake in batches.

What’s the best frosting for sugar cookies?

Try royal icing, buttercream, or a simple glaze.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! Bake and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days before decorating.

Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?

Yes, but cookies will be softer and slightly chewier.

What’s the best way to cut clean cookie shapes?

Use well-floured cookie cutters and chill dough if necessary.

Can I add sprinkles before baking?

Yes! Press them gently onto the dough before baking.

Conclusion

This Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe makes soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet cookies that are fun to make and decorate. Whether for holidays, birthdays, or simple everyday treats, these cookies are quick, easy, and always delicious. Try them today and enjoy a batch of homemade sugar cookie goodness!