How to Make the Perfect Sugar Cookies
American · Easy · 30 min · 24 servings
Classic sugar cookies are the ultimate kid friendly baking project because kids can cut out fun shapes and decorate them with colorful icing and sprinkles. This simple recipe creates perfectly soft cookies that hold their shape beautifully for decorating any holiday or special occasion.
Why this recipe works
This Sugar Cookies recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 145 calories with 2g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup powdered sugar for icing
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make and Chill the Dough
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat butter and granulated sugar until fluffy, then mix in eggs and vanilla. Gradually stir in flour and baking powder until a smooth dough forms, then wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Roll and Cut Shapes
Roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 0.25-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes and transfer them carefully to parchment-lined baking sheets.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are just barely starting to turn golden. The cookies should still look pale in the center when you pull them out for a soft result.
Step 4: Cool and Decorate
Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. Mix powdered sugar with a little milk to make a simple icing and let kids go wild with sprinkles and food coloring.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- unsalted butter → vegan butter for a dairy-free version that still rolls beautifully
- vanilla extract → almond extract for a different but equally delicious flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Skipping the chilling step which causes the dough to spread and lose its cutout shape while baking
- Rolling the dough too thin which causes the cookies to overbake and become brittle
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 145 calories, 2g protein, 20g carbs, 6g fat, 0g fiber.
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