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    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Sugar Cookies Recipe

    Published: May 1, 2021 · Modified: Feb 20, 2022 by Laura Reigel · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump To Recipe Comments Jump To Video

    This is the BEST sugar cookie recipe you'll ever make. In all the years that I've been making cookies, I've never had any better. With or without the sprinkles 🎉, you decide.

    These homemade sugar cookies are so light and butter with a perfectly crisp edge and a melt in your mouth center. This is one Christmas cookie that I make every single year, but this cookie recipe is perfect for any time of the year.

    a stack of light and crispy sugar cookies made with sprinkles

    Most of the time, I'm not really a sugar cookie person. Chocolate chip cookies are really more of my jam. But, let me tell you...THESE sugar cookies are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! In all honesty, they are the world's best sugar cookies.

    These sugar cookies are super light and crispy. They practically melt in your mouth.

    This cookie recipe is my Grandma's recipe, it's made with simple ingredients. Sometimes I jazz it up a little bit with rainbow sprinkles. The nonpareils add a crunchy colorful bite to this simple cookie.

    What You’ll Love About This Recipe

    • Light and delicate. Seriously, these are melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies.
    • Sweet vanilla flavor.
    • Super fast and easy to make. These cookies are easy to make, they're a no-chill sugar cookie recipe so you can bake them as soon as you mix them up.

    Recipe Notes

    I make these easy sugar cookies for Christmas every single year. I don't usually use rainbow sprinkles when I make these as Christmas sugar cookies.

    You can leave the sprinkles out entirely or use white or red and green sprinkles. Mix sprinkles into the cookie dough or simply sprinkle them on top.

    Ingredients For Sugar Cookies

    ingredients for sugar cookies
    • Flour. I use all-purpose flour for this cookie recipe. Gluten-free flour works really well in this recipe.
    • Sugar. Both granulated white sugar and powdered sugar are used in this recipe. You'll need an extra cup of sugar to roll the cookie dough balls in before baking.
    • Unsalted butter and oil. Make sure your butter is softened at room temperature. The oil in the recipe is one of the things that makes these cookies so light.
    • Egg. Just one egg at room temperature.
    • Salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar.
    • Vanilla extract. A half teaspoon of vanilla extract.
    • Sprinkles. Totally optional. I used one bottle of rainbow nonpareils in the recipe. I was in a festive mood. You can buy nonpareils in a million different colors and they are a fun addition to this cookie recipe.

    Special Equipment

    • Cookie press. A cookie press is a super fun way to add a fancy top to these cookies. Nordic ware has the cutest designs.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1: Preheat oven to 350℉

    While the oven is preheating prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.

    Step 2: Combine the dry ingredients

    Combine flour with baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar.

    granulated sugar and powdered sugar in a bowl

    Step 3: Combine the sugars with the butter and oil

    In a medium bowl combine the sugar mixture with the butter and oil. Beat on medium speed until they are combined. Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed and beat until the sugar mixture is light a fluffy.

    • adding a half cup of oil to sugar cookie dough
    • adding a half cup of butter to the sugar cookie dough
    • beat the sugar annd butter together until light and fluffy

    Step 4: Add the vanilla and eggs, beat again

    Turn the mixer to medium-high speed and beat until the batter is light and fluffy.

    add the eggs and the vanilla to the cookie batter

    Step 5: Add the flour mixture

    Combine the flour mixture with the wet ingredients. Beat on medium speed until the cookie dough is combined.

    If you're using sprinkles you can add them at this time.

    • add the dry ingredients to the cookie dough
    • mix the cookie dough until the dry ingredients are just combined
    • add one small bottle of rainbow sprinkles

    Step 6: Drop the cookies

    These are drop sugar cookies. Use a #60 cookie scoop to scoop out evenly-sized balls of dough.

    Add about one cup of sugar to a bowl and drop the cookies into a bowl of sugar, toss to coat the cookie dough balls, and then place them onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

    I like to use a cookie press to give them a fun texture.

    • drop the balls of cookie dough into granulatedsugar
    • press the cookies using a cookie scoop

    Step 5: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes

    Bake the cookies until the edges are lightly browned and crisp.

    light an crispy sugar cookies on a baking sheet

    Step 6: Cool the cookies.

    Remove them from the oven and let the cookies cool for a few minutes. After a few minutes transfer the cookies to a wire baking rack. Allow them to cool completely.

    Recipe Variations

    • With or without sprinkles. Make these sugar cookies with or without sprinkles.
    • Snickerdoodles. Roll the sugar cookie dough in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar to make snickerdoodles.
    • Frosted sugar cookies. Frost the sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting.
    crispy sugar cookies

    FAQs and Expert Tips

    Can I make gluten-free sugar cookies?

    Yes, these cookies come out really well with King Arthur's gluten-free flour.

    Can I use this sugar cookie recipe for cut-out sugar cookies?

    This cookie dough is too delicate to roll out. I don't recommend using it for cut-out sugar cookies.

    How to make Snickerdoodles.

    This recipe is perfect for making Snickerdoodles. Traditional sugar cookies are rolled in sugar. To make Snickerdoodles add cinnamon to granulated sugar and roll the cookies in the cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking.

    Can I freeze sugar cookies?

    Yes, these cookies can be frozen before or after baking.

    To freeze baked cookies, simply place the cookies on a baking sheet, freeze, and then store them in a freezer bag or an airtight container.

    Frozen cookie dough and frozen cookies will keep several months in the freezer.

    How to freeze unbaked cookie dough.

    1. Scoop out each cookie with a cookie scoop and roll it in sugar.
    2. Place the cookie balls on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
    3. Freeze the cookie dough balls in a single layer on the baking sheet.
    4. Once the cookie dough is frozen store them in a zip-top plastic bag until you are ready to bake them.
    5. When you're ready to bake them simply let them thaw at room temperature. You can also place a few of the frozen cookie dough balls in the fridge and let them thaw overnight.
    6. Bake the cookies according to the recipe card.

    stack of the best sugar cookies

    More Amazing Sugar Cookie Recipes

    • The BEST Cut-out Sugar Cookie Recipe
    heart shaped cut out sugar cookies with royal icing

    More of my Best Cookie Recipes

    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie
    • Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies
    • Double Dark Chocolate Chip Shortbread
    • Peppermint Meringue Cookies
    • The World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Persimmon Cookies
    • Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Blondie Recipe
    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
    • Pecan Finger Cookies with Powdered Sugar

    ➽ Did you make this recipe? I love to see what's going on in your kitchen. Please show me what you're cooking. 🍳 Tag me @foodologygeek on your favorite social channel! Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. If you loved ❤︎ this recipe, please leave a five ★ review and a comment!

    stack a sugar cookies
    Favorite Saved!

    Sugar Cookie Recipe

    Laura Reigel
    The lightest, melt in your mouth sugar cookie recipe ever! This is the BEST sugar cookie recipe that you will ever make.
    PRINT PIN SAVE SAVED
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 27 mins
    Course Cookies
    Cuisine American
    Servings 48 cookies
    Calories 72 kcal

    Equipment

    • cookie press
    • cookie scoops
    • parchment paper
    • baking sheets

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
    • ½ cup vegetable oil
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 egg
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon cream of tartar

    Extras

    • sugar for rolling
    • nonpariels Optional but highly recommended

    Optional Cream Cheese Frosting

    • 3 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
    • 1 tablespoon milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups confectioners sugar more if needed
    • food coloring if desired
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F

    How To Make Sugar Cookie Dough

    • Combine the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda, cream of tartar) in a medium bowl and whisk together.
    • Combine the sugars, the butter, and the oil. Beat until this mixture is light and fluffy.
    • Add the egg and the vanilla. Beat them into the sugar and butter mixture.
    • Add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar and mix until the flour is just incorperated. Don't overmix.
    • Optional: Add Sprinkles and mix in.
    • Add a half cup to a cup of sugar to a bowl.
    • Use a cookie scoop to form cookie dough balls. Roll each ball of dough in the granulared sugar before placing them on a lined cookie sheet.
    • Gently press the cookies flat. You can use your fingers or a cookie stamp.
    • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

    How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional)

    • Combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a medium bowl.
    • Using a hand mixer, on low at first, blend together until the cream cheese and sugar are relateively smooth.
    • Add the milk and the vanilla. Mix until they are incorporated.
    • Add a few drops of food coloring if desired, mix the food coloring in.

    Video

    Laura's Tips + Notes

    Variations
    To make snickerdoodles, add a tablespoon of cinnamon to the sugar before rolling the sugar cookie dough in it. 
    Sprinkles or no sprinkles
    I usually leave the sprinkles out. For birthdays or times when I just need all the rainbow sprinkles, I like to add them. 
    You can find nonpareils in a billion different color combos. 
    Spinklepop has adorable sprinkles for every occasion. 
    Wilton Cake Rainbow Sprinkles are what I used in this recipe. 
    Nordic Ware Cookie Stamps are what I used to make the mermaid scale texture. 

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 72kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 37mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cookies, holiday cookies, sugar cookies
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Snap a 📸 and share it. Tag me @foodologygeek and don't forget to hashtag #foodologygeek!

    More Cookie Recipes

    • Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe
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    95 shares

    About Laura Reigel

    Laura is the owner and CEO of Foodology Geek. She holds a degree in Physiology and Neuroscience as well as a Certification as a Nutrition Coach. Laura uses her love of cooking and science to create healthy real food recipes that you'll love eating.

    As a certified recipe hoarder, and meal prep maven Laura is passionate about sharing her love for cooking easy from-scratch recipes. She also shares the occasional family recipe and all of the technical details.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa Hatfield

      May 08, 2021 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      My goodness, these cookies are so good! Thanks for another great baking recipe Laura.

      Reply
      • Laura Reigel

        May 10, 2021 at 4:56 am

        Thank you Lisa for the awesome review.

        Reply
    2. Seanna Borrows

      May 05, 2021 at 4:11 am

      5 stars
      These cookies are the best! Super tasty!

      Reply

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