The Best Sugar Cookies (Recipe & Video)

I adore these soft sugar cookies because they strike the perfect balance between crisp edges and chewy centers. I love playing with the icing, personalizing each cookie with creative designs. This recipe is my go-to when I need a sweet, nostalgic treat that always brings a smile to my face.

Hey everyone, im excited to share my Best Sugar Cookies recipe that i’ve been perfecting for a while now. This recipe is one of the best sugar cookie recipes ive ever made, and its been a hit on popular sites like Sallys Baking Cookies and other cookie recipe videos.

I start by mixing 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Then i cream together 1 cup unsalted butter, softened with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, add in 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

Although its no light snack (its loaded with butter and sugar so its best as an occasional treat), these cookies offer a perfect balance of soft centers and crisp edges. For the icing, i simply whisk together 2 cups powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and add food coloring if you wanna get creative.

Enjoy baking and decorating!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe ’cause it always gives me that awesome mix of crispy edges with a soft, chewy center that makes every bite feel just right.
I also love how simple the icing is to make – it mixes together quickly and even lets me get creative with a few drops of food coloring for a fun twist.
Another reason I dig it is that the steps are easy enough to follow, even if I mess up a bit sometimes, so baking never feels overwhelming.
And finally, the buttery, sweet flavor is just irresistible; it reminds me of cozy afternoons and hanging out with friends.

Ingredients

• All-purpose Flour: Provides carbohydrates and structure for cookies.

  It isnt exactly healthy, but it does the trick.

• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and get a soft texture, though it offers no nutrition.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds creaminess and flavor with fats that improve texture, but its high in calories.
• Granulated Sugar: Offers sweetness and energy.

  It is a simple carb that makes cookies taste awesome.

• Egg: Binds ingredients while giving a little protein boost and strengthening the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm aroma and sweet flavor that rounds out the taste nicely.
• Powdered Sugar (icing): Adds a smooth, sugary finish that really makes the cookies extra appealing.
• Milk (icing): Adjusts icing consistency perfectly and lightly contributes to the overall flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar (sifted, for icing)
• 2-3 tablespoons milk (for icing)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
• Food coloring (optional, for that fun decoratin look)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, mix together 2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

3. In another bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until it looks light and fluffy.

4. Beat in 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until well combined.

5. Slowly add your dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together.

6. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness and use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes, or simply form little balls if you prefer.

7. Arrange your cookies on the baking sheet so they have a little space in between, then pop them into the oven.

8. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until you see crisp edges but the centers still look soft.

9. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack completely to cool.

10. For the icing, whisk together 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add a few drops of food coloring if you want a fun look then decorate your cooled cookies any way you like. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheated to 375°F)
2. Baking sheets (lined with parchment paper)
3. Large bowl for mixing the dry ingredients
4. Another bowl for creaming the butter and sugar
5. Electric mixer (or a sturdy whisk if you prefer manual mixing)
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Spatula for stirring the dough
8. Rolling pin for flattening the dough
9. Cookie cutters or a fork/spoon if you’re making balls instead of shaped cookies
10. Wire cooling rack for letting the cookies cool completely
11. Sifter for powdered sugar (for the icing)
12. Small bowl for the milk and icing mixture
13. Whisk for combining the icing ingredients

FAQ

• Q: Can I use margarine instead of unsalted butter?
  A: Sure ya can but the cookies might not be as rich in flavor. Butter gives a better texture so it’s best if you can use that.
• Q: Do I have to sift the powdered sugar for the icing?
  A: Yes, sifting helps avoid any clumps so your icing comes out super smooth and spreads more evenly.
• Q: How do I get the perfect consistency for the icing?
  A: Start by adding 2 tablespoons milk and mix, then add more drop by drop until you get the consistency you like. Not too runny but not too thick either.
• Q: Should I chill the dough before baking?
  A: Chilling the dough is a good idea because it helps the cookies keep their shape and makes them easier to cut.
• Q: How can I tell when the cookies are done baking?
  A: The edges will turn kinda light golden and the middle will seem a bit soft. They firm up as they cool so that’s when you know they’re ready.

The Best Sugar Cookies (Recipe & Video) Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter but make sure you cut back a bit on the salt in the rest of the recipe.
• You can swap granulated sugar with coconut sugar for added flavour, though your cookies might be slightly darker.
• If you’re lacking all-purpose flour, try mixing cake flour and whole wheat flour in equal parts but be aware the texture may come out a bit different.
• No vanilla extract? You can use almond extract instead but use a little less since it has a more potent taste.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your butter is really soft before you start creaming it with the sugar. Sometimes if it’s too cold the mixture just won’t mix right and your cookies might end up uneven.
2. Don’t overcrowd your pan. Giving the cookies enough space in the oven will help them bake evenly and keep that perfect balance of a crisp edge and a soft center.
3. When adding your food coloring into the icing, go slow with the drops because it can be harder than it looks to match your desired color even after a few tries.
4. If you wanna mix things up a bit, try experimenting with a pinch of extra flavoring like almond extract in the dough for a subtle twist that can make your cookies really stand out.