How to Make Perfect Sugar Cookies Every Time

Make these for your next party or get together. These are the BEST Sugar Cookies out there. Top it with some delicious Buttercream Frosting.

SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE

Craving a Sugar Cookie?

Next time a craving hits you might want to give this Sugar Cookie Recipe a try. It is one of the best Sugar Cookie Recipes I have tried.

They are perfect for your next Cookie Exchange or get together with family and friends. Don’t make them when you don’t have friends to share them with…or you may find yourself eating every last one…all by yourself.

HOW TO MAKE SUGAR COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 cups cake flour (you can use all purpose flour too, start with 4 3/4 cups of flour and increase if the dough seems to sticky)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing well. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients, adding milk one tablespoon at a time until the dough reaches a soft, manageable consistency.

2. Chill the Dough

For the best results and to make dough easier to work with, chill before rolling., refrigerate your dough for at least 1 hour. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking and helps create well-defined shapes.

3. Roll and Cut

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to shape your cookies, then transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4. Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft in the center.

5. Cool and Decorate

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once completely cooled, decorate with icing, sprinkles, or sugar as desired.

Expert Tips for the Best Sugar Cookies

• Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures even mixing and a smooth dough.
• Don’t skip chilling: Cold dough holds its shape better while baking.
• Measure flour correctly: Too much flour can make cookies dry and crumbly.
• Rotate the baking sheet: Halfway through baking, turn the pan to promote even cooking.
• Store properly: Keep cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my sugar cookies spread too much?

Over-softened butter or skipping the chilling step can cause excess spreading. Make sure to refrigerate your dough and avoid over-creaming the butter and sugar.

How do I make my sugar cookies softer?

Try slightly underbaking them by a minute or two, and store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to retain moisture.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! Sugar cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before rolling and baking.

BEST SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE

This is the BEST Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe ever. They are the go-to cookie in our home when we need to make holiday cut out cookies.

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Best Sugar Cookies

This is the BEST Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe ever. They are the go-to cookie in our home when we need to make holiday cut out cookies.

Servings 18 servings

Calories 361 kcal

Author Amy

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 cups cake flour you can use all purpose flour too, start with 4 3/4 cups of flour and increase if the dough seems to sticky

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until blended well. Add dry ingredients and mix. To make dough easier to work with, chill before rolling.
3. Roll  to about 1/4 inch thick and form (cut) cookies and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
4. Cookies are done when top is slightly cracked and no longer looks wet. Edges may be slightly browned.

Nutrition Facts

Best Sugar Cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 361 Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Saturated Fat 10g63%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 72mg24%

Sodium 213mg9%

Potassium 97mg3%

Carbohydrates 48g16%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 22g24%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 518IU10%

Calcium 34mg3%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Top them with this yummy Buttercream Frosting and they are sure to be the hit of the party!

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Butter Cream Frosting

Servings 24 servings

Calories 146 kcal

Author Amy

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 4-5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. Milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Beat soft butter and powdered sugar together until smooth.
2. Add milk and vanilla, blend well.
3. Tint frosting with food color as desired.
4. Decorate with sprinkles immediately after frosting.

Nutrition Facts

Butter Cream Frosting

Amount Per Serving

Calories 146 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 20mg7%

Sodium 68mg3%

Potassium 3mg0%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Sugar 20g22%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 237IU5%

Calcium 3mg0%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

SOFT SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE

These cookies are so easy to freeze.  You can make them ahead of time and freeze a large batch of them to frost for later.  You can also freeze the dough.  Just set it out on the counter and let it thaw before rolling it out to cut the shapes later.

Wash them down with some fresh, cold milk.  I love to drink out of these fun “milk” bottles which are recycled Starbucks Frappuccino Bottles that I glued these simple Milk Bottle Labels on.  Somehow it makes eating cookies a little bit more fun!  Download a free set of them for your own personal use here:

Printable Milk Bottle Labels