Easy Sugar Cookies

4.5
(8,680)

This sugar cookie recipe is quick and easy to make with simple ingredients. They are delicious as-is or with candies mixed in. My friend uses chocolate mints on top, and they taste great!

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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
48
Yield:
4 dozen

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this top-rated sugar cookie recipe. It comes together with just a few ingredients you likely already have on hand — and the sugar cookies turn out perfect every time.

How to Make Sugar Cookies

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Sugar Cookie Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you'll need to make the best sugar cookies of your life:

  • Flour: This easy sugar cookie recipe starts with all-purpose flour.
  • Leaveners: Baking soda and baking powder act as leaveners, which means they help the cookies rise.
  • Butter: Two sticks of butter add moisture and richness.
  • Sugar: Of course, you'll need sugar for sugar cookies!
  • Egg: An egg lends more moisture and helps bind the cookie dough together.

How to Make Sugar Cookies From Scratch

Here's a quick overview of what you can expect when you make homemade sugar cookies:

  1. Beat sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla in one bowl; mix flour and leaveners in another.
  2. Gradually blend the flour mixture into the butter mixture.
  3. Roll the dough into balls and bake until the edges are golden.

How to Decorate Sugar Cookies

Want to go the extra mile? Try topping these sweet cookies with our sugar cookie frosting and/or sprinkles.

Learn more: How to Decorate Cookies

How Long Do Sugar Cookies Last?

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container for a few days at room temperature or up to one week in the fridge. If you've frosted your cookies, stack them with wax paper between each layer to prevent sticking.

easy sugar cookies
Bianca Danielle

Can You Freeze Sugar Cookies?

Yes! You can freeze baked sugar cookies and sugar cookie dough.

  • To freeze baked cookies: Allow the baked cookies to cool completely. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, cover, and freeze for about three hours or up to overnight. Transfer the now-frozen cookies to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. Wrap in at least one layer of foil for extra protection. Freeze for up to two months.
  • To freeze cookie dough: Roll the dough into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and freeze for about three hours or up to overnight. Transfer the frozen cookies to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. Wrap in at least one layer of foil for extra protection. Freeze for up to two months.

Learn more: How to Freeze Cookies and Cookie Dough for Easy Baking

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Perfection," raves TSAF. Was asked to make drop sugar cookies for a wedding, and I'm thrilled with the results. Used a stand mixer and creamed the butter and sugar for at least 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl a few times."

"I know this will sound melodramatic, but I've been looking for a good sugar cookie recipe my whole life," says ILOVEFOOD!. "I had accepted the fact that I would never find it when I tried this recipe. The cookies baked up crispy and buttery, just the right amount of sweetness, chewy for days."

"Perfect recipe for a Saturday morning when your 3-year-old wants to make cookies," according to jkozelj. "Happy to say it's a toddler-proof recipe! For the adults out there, add some vanilla extract and a good pinch of salt."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • ½ teaspoon baking powder

  • 1 cup butter, softened

  • 1 ½ cups white sugar

  • 1 egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

  2. Stir flour, baking soda, and baking powder together in a small bowl.

  3. Beat sugar and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in flour mixture. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls and place 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.

  4. Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets briefly before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

    an overhead view of a round platter of easy sugar cokies
    Meredith Food Studio

Editor's Note

Top these sweet cookies with our sugar cookie frosting to really impress!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

86 Calories
4g Fat
12g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 48
Calories 86
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 14mg 5%
Sodium 60mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 1g 2%
Calcium 6mg 0%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 11mg 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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