Easy Sugar Cookies

These Easy Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat that combines simplicity with irresistible charm. With a soft, tender crumb and a delicate sweetness, they melt in your mouth with every bite.

Perfectly golden edges give way to a chewy center, making them a joy to bake and share. In just 2 hours and 40 minutes, you can create a batch that feels like a warm hug from the oven.

Whether you’re decorating them for a special occasion or enjoying them plain, these cookies are a crowd-pleaser.

Their buttery richness and subtle vanilla flavor make them a timeless favorite. Plus, the 10-minute bake time means you’ll have fresh, fragrant cookies ready in no time. Simple, satisfying, and utterly delicious—they’re the ultimate homemade treat.

Ingredients for Easy Sugar Cookies

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• ½ teaspoon sea salt (or substitute with table salt)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (if using salted butter, reduce added salt)
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for added flavor)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional, for a citrusy twist)
• Decorating options: Royal icing, coarse sugar, or sprinkles of your choice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Add the egg and beat well. Then, mix in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest until fully incorporated.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, one-third at a time, mixing until just combined after each addition.
5. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.
8. Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each. Bake one sheet at a time for 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, coarse sugar, or sprinkles as desired. Enjoy!

Creative Decorating Ideas

Take your sugar cookies to the next level with fun and festive decorations! Use royal icing for a smooth, professional finish, or sprinkle coarse sugar for a sparkly touch.

For a pop of color, try Supernatural White Sequins or other sprinkles. You can also use food coloring to tint the icing and create vibrant designs. Let your creativity shine!

Storage Tips for Freshness

Store your sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’ve decorated with icing, let it set completely before stacking to avoid smudging.

For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Time-Saving Hacks

Short on time? Skip the chilling step by rolling the dough directly after mixing and cutting out shapes. Alternatively, prepare the dough ahead of time and freeze it for up to 1 month.

When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge overnight. You can also bake the cookies a day in advance and decorate them the next day for a stress-free treat.

Recipe Variations to Try

Switch up the flavors by swapping lemon zest for orange zest or adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dough. For a chocolate twist, replace ¼ cup of flour with cocoa powder. If you prefer a softer cookie, reduce the baking time by 1-2 minutes. Experiment with different extracts like coconut or peppermint for a unique twist!

Essential Equipment Tips

For best results, use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to cream the butter and sugar evenly. A rolling pin with thickness guides ensures your cookies are uniformly ¼-inch thick. If you don’t have parchment paper, silicone baking mats work just as well. And don’t forget a variety of cookie cutters for fun shapes!

Easy Sugar Cookies

Amy

These Easy Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat that combines simplicity with irresistible charm. In just 2 hours and 40 minutes, you can create a batch that feels like a warm hug from the oven.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 2 minutes mins

Servings 0

Ingredients

  

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Decorating options

• Royal icing, pictured – recipe below
• Coarse sugar
• Desired sprinkles, I like these Supernatural White Sequins

Instructions

 

• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
• Cream the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the egg and beat well, then add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest and mix again.
• Add the dry ingredients, one-third at a time, mixing until well combined. Divide the dough into two balls and flatten into disks. Wrap in plastic wrap and transfer to the fridge to chill for 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Transfer to the baking sheets and bake, one sheet at a time, for 10 minutes.
• Let cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling. Cool completely before icing.

Keyword baking, dessert, easy recipe, homemade cookies, sugar cookies

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