Best Sugar Cookie Recipe (2024)

This sugar cookie recipe makes a melt-in-your-mouth, soft, chewy cookie that doesn’t spread. Perfect for rolled or cut-out cookies!

Sugar cookies are delicious diet ruining little fiends and I love them so much. These were inspired by the Publix sugar cookie recipe that I am mildly obsessed with. Enjoy them after a yummy chicken spaghetti dinner!

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Sugar Cookie Ingredients

• Flour – All purpose (not self rising!)
• Baking powder – Make sure you don’t grab baking soda.
• Sugar – Granulated (not powdered sugar).
• Salt – Regular table salt.
• Butter – Salted/softened. (Unsalted butter works too, if you prefer).
• Egg – Large.
• Vanilla extract – Real vanilla extract, not imitation.

How do you make homemade sugar cookies? (step-by-step)

⭐ First, in a large bowl mix together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt.

⭐ Then, cream together butter and sugar with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer. Add in egg and vanilla and mix until well combined. Add flour mixture, mix well.

⭐ Next, roll dough into a log wrapped in plastic wrap, allow to chill until dough is firm.

⭐ Finally, slice cookie log and place slices on a parchment paper or silpat lined cookie sheet. Bake until just barely done.

Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.

Preparation

How do you keep sugar cookies from losing their shape?

Keep your cookies from spreading by chilling your dough before baking. This recipe holds it’s shape really well, even without chilling, but some time in the fridge makes them perfect.

Do you have to chill sugar cookie dough?

No! You can absolutely make these without chilling. They only require chilling if you want them to keep their shape exactly. I love making these, rolling them in sugar, and popping directly into the oven.

How do you make sugar cookies more flavorful?

I love a plain vanilla sugar cookie, but if you want a little more pizazz try adding flavor with extracts (like almond extract, cherry, citrus), or roll in crushed peppermint, or even mix in some fresh lime or lemon zest.

Do you put sprinkles on sugar cookies before or after baking?

If you want the sprinkles directly on the cookie then roll in sprinkles, or press sprinkles into the dough, before baking.

Alternately, you can put sprinkles onto iced cookies after they’re baked. Make sure to add the sprinkles quickly as they will not stick to hardened icing.

Storage and leftovers

How long do sugar cookies last?

The baked cookies will last 1 – 2 weeks at room temperature in a cool/dry environment, when stored in a sealed airtight container. If you will not be able to finish them in that amount of time, they can be frozen.

Can you freeze homemade sugar cookies?

Yes, they can be frozen before or after baking. If freezing the dough before baking, either into a log and wrap tightly in plastic wrap then again in a sealed bag or foil, or make your cookie shapes and freeze the dough on a pan. When the cookie dough shapes are frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe container.

Frozen cut outs will stay good for up to a month, and a frozen log will stay good for up to three months. After that time they will still be safe to bake/eat, but the quality will deteriorate.

To freeze after baking, allow the cookies to cool completely, then store in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

How do you defrost cookie dough?

For best results, defrost in the refrigerator overnight. To defrost cookie dough quickly, use a sharp knife to slice your frozen cookie dough into discs then place them on your lined baking sheet. The sliced dough will thaw quickly and then you can bake it.

Can you bake frozen sugar cookie dough?

Yes, place the frozen dough on a lined baking sheet and bake for 2 – 3 minutes longer than the recipe recommends.

Tips and tricks for the best sugar cookies

Stop the spread

If you want the dough to keep its shape (as pictured in this recipe), chill the dough for several hours before baking. If making cut-out shapes, chill the dough on the baking sheet after it has been cut out.

Add some flare

Roll your cookies in colored sugar or sprinkles for a fun look and some added texture. Or add a drop or two of food coloring to the dough!

How long to bake soft sugar cookies?

Soft sugar cookies and chewy sugar cookies are the best! Make sure you bake them to just barely done (about 10 minutes, 8 for smaller cookies) so they get the perfect texture. If they’ve browned you’ve left them in too long.

How thick do I roll sugar cookies?

We like ours between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick. You can roll them, or slice them, or even roll into balls and press with a fork or your hand!

Cut out sugar cookie recipe

This recipe is perfect for cut out cookies too because it holds shape beautifully. To make cut-out sugar cookies, roll the dough thin (between 1/4 and 1/2 inches thick) on a floured surface with a rolling pin.

Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and place them on a lined baking sheet. Chill the sheet for at least 30 minutes, until dough is stiff. Then bake as directed.

Frosting your sugar cookies

You can use royal icing for sugar cookies (this is traditional), but honestly I’m partial to cream cheese icing! I like to add a little extra powdered sugar to the frosting recipe so it will harden.

What to eat with easy sugar cookies (serving suggestions)

Well, I’m partial to a hot cup of coffee or tea with mine. And if I’m feeling fancy, a mug of peppermint mocha. Yum. Or enjoy them after a healthy dinner of turkey meatloaf and roasted carrots!

Other amazing cookie recipes

• Sugar cookie peppermint sticks
• Homemade butter cookies
• Holiday cookie recipe
• Easy peanut butter blossoms
• Cookies and cream cookies
• Chocolate cake mix cookies
• See all our homemade cookie recipes!

More desserts to enjoy

• Pistachio fluff recipe
• Homemade cheese danish
• Cake balls recipe
• 7 layer magic bars
• See all our easy dessert ideas!

Tools we love

• Baking sheets – This set is perfect, we use them for everything from roasting, to baking, and even serving.
• Silicone baking mats– I always always always line with these, nothing sticks!

How to Make Sugar Cookies