Sugar Cookie Recipe (Soft & Chewy Classic)

This sugar cookie recipe makes soft, chewy sugar cookies with lightly crisp edges and a buttery vanilla finish. The dough mixes in minutes, chills briefly, then bakes in just 8-10 minutes, giving you classic homemade cookies without stress.

Perfect for holidays, decorating, or everyday baking, this easy sugar cookie recipe delivers consistent, bakery-style results every time.

What you’ll get: Soft, chewy sugar cookies with lightly crisp edges – ready in about 55 minutes (including chill time).
Key technique: Chill the dough 30 minutes + pull cookies when centers look slightly soft.
Best use: Decorating, cut-out shapes, stacking, gifting.

Quick Summary

• Texture: soft centers + lightly crisp edges
• Time: 55 minutes total (includes chill time)
• Chill time: 30 minutes (helps control spread)
• Best for: decorating, stacking, gifting, everyday baking

Sugar Cookie Recipe Facts:
Yield: 24 cookies
Oven: 350°F (175°C)
Bake time: 8–10 minutes
Chill time: 30 minutes

What Makes This Sugar Cookie Recipe Work

These classic sugar cookies use a simple ratio – butter for richness, sugar for crisp edges, and just enough flour to keep the centers tender. It’s a classic ratio that professional bakeries rely on for consistent texture and structure. A short chill firms the butter so the cookies hold their shape, and a quick bake keeps them soft.

That balance is what makes this sugar cookie recipe dependable for both cut-out shapes and everyday baking.

Why These Sugar Cookies Stay Soft and Chewy

Sugar cookies are simple, but small details make a big difference. The balance of butter, sugar, and flour determines whether they bake up dry, flat, or perfectly tender.

In this recipe:

• Room temperature butter creates a smooth, evenly aerated dough.
• Granulated sugar gives the edges a delicate crispness.
• A short chill firms the fat so the cookies hold their shape and bake evenly.
• A slightly underbaked center keeps them soft even after cooling.

The result is a sugar cookie with lightly golden edges and a soft, buttery center that stays tender for days.

Why This Recipe Is Different

Unlike overly cakey sugar cookies, this version keeps the ratio balanced so the centers stay tender without becoming dense. The short chill gives structure without turning the cookies hard.

This approach keeps the texture consistent, so every batch bakes evenly without becoming dense.

Why Sugar Cookies Spread (And How to Control It)

If your sugar cookies spread too much or lose their shape, one of these is usually the cause:

Butter too warm
Very soft or melted butter causes the dough to spread quickly in the oven.

Not enough flour
Always measure flour using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense or flat cookies.

Skipping the chill time
Chilling solidifies the butter and reduces excessive spreading.

Overmixing
Too much mixing develops gluten, which changes texture and structure.

For clean edges and thicker cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Common Sugar Cookie Problems (And How to Fix Them)

• Cookies spread too much: Butter was too warm or dough wasn’t chilled long enough.
• Cookies are dry: Too much flour or overbaked (pull when centers look soft).
• Cookies are tough: Dough was overmixed — mix just until combined.
• Cookies taste flat: Add a pinch more salt or use better vanilla.

Understanding these small adjustments makes this sugar cookie recipe reliable for both beginner and experienced bakers.

Ingredients That Make a Difference

Not all sugar cookies are the same. These ingredients matter most:

Butter – Use unsalted butter at room temperature for better control over flavor and salt levels.

Vanilla extract – A high-quality vanilla enhances the warm, buttery notes.

Egg – Adds structure and softness.

Baking powder – Gives slight lift without making the cookies cakey.

Ingredients for Sugar Cookie Recipe

This simple ingredient list keeps the flavor clean and buttery, allowing the vanilla and sugar to shine.

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Together, these ingredients create a balanced sugar cookie recipe that delivers soft centers and lightly crisp edges every time.

Essential Kitchen Tools

• Mixing Bowls: You need at least one large bowl for combining your cookie dough.
• Electric Mixer: A hand mixer or a stand mixer is best for creaming the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: You will need both dry measuring cups and liquid measuring cups for precise measurements of flour, sugar, and extracts.
• Rolling Pin: This is essential for rolling the cookie dough to an even thickness before cutting out your shapes.
• Cookie Cutters: Use your favorite shapes for fun, festive cookies.
• Baking Sheets: You will need at least one standard, rimmed baking sheet.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Lining your baking sheets prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup very easy.
• Wire Racking: A wire cooling rack is necessary for letting the cookies cool completely after they come out of the oven.
• Spatula: A rubber spatula helps you scrape the bowl to ensure all ingredients are mixed in.

Optional but Helpful Tools

• Flour Sifter or Whisk: Useful for aerating your flour before measuring it.
• Cookie Spatula: A thin, flat spatula makes transferring the delicate cut-out cookies to the baking sheet much easier.

How To Make Sugar Cookies

1. Cream the butter and sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Proper creaming incorporates air, which helps create a tender texture.

2. Add egg and vanilla

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

3. Combine dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

4. Form the dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent dense cookies.

5. Chill

Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps control spread and improves texture.

6. Roll and shape

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes.

7. Bake

Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.

Bake cue: The edges should look set and lightly golden, while the centers still look slightly soft – they’ll finish setting as they cool.

8. Cool

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

That’s all it takes to create a classic sugar cookie recipe with reliable, bakery-style results at home.

Pro Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies

• Flour measuring: Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off (don’t scoop), or cookies may turn dry and dense.
• Do not overbake. Remove cookies when the centers look slightly soft.
• Bake one tray at a time for even heat circulation.
• Use parchment paper for clean bottoms and easier removal.
• For thicker cookies, chill longer (up to 1 hour).

Mastering these small techniques turns a simple sugar cookie recipe into a bakery-style result at home.

Decorating and Variations

These sugar cookies are perfect plain, but also ideal for:
• Rolling in sanding sugar before baking
• Adding lemon zest for a citrus note
• Topping with vanilla glaze
• Using royal icing for holiday decorating

For cut-out shapes, chill the dough slightly longer and roll between parchment sheets.

How to Decorate Sugar Cookies for Christmas

1. Choose Your Icing: Use royal icing or a simple powdered sugar glaze. Divide into small bowls and add food coloring for red, green, gold, or other holiday shades.
2. Outline and Flood: For royal icing, start by outlining the cookie edges with a piping bag. Then fill the center (“flood”) with thinner icing for a smooth surface.
3. Add Holiday Details: Use sprinkles, edible glitter, or sanding sugar in festive colors. Pipe designs like snowflakes, Christmas trees, candy canes, or stars.
4. Layered Effects: Let the first layer dry for 15-30 minutes before adding details on top to prevent colors from blending.
5. Finishing Touches: Add small edible pearls, chocolate chips, or colored sugar for extra sparkle. Let cookies dry completely before storing.
6. Storage: Keep decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.

Storage and Freezing

Store baked sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

To freeze:
• Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months.
• Freeze dough balls and bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this sugar cookie recipe soft and chewy?

Chilling the dough, using properly softened butter, and pulling the cookies when centers still look slightly soft keeps them tender instead of dry.

Should I chill sugar cookie dough?

Yes. Chilling for at least 30 minutes firms the butter, helps the cookies hold shape, and prevents excess spreading.

How do I know when sugar cookies are done baking?

They’re done when edges look set and lightly golden, but centers still look slightly soft.

Can I freeze sugar cookie dough?

Yes. Freeze dough balls or flattened dough disks up to 2 months. Bake from frozen with 1–2 extra minutes.

Can I Make These Sugar Cookies Ahead for Holidays?

Yes. You can prepare the dough up to 48 hours in advance or freeze it for up to 2 months. Baked cookies also freeze beautifully, making this recipe ideal for holiday baking and gift boxes.

Continue to Content

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Yield: 24 cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Soft and chewy sugar cookies with lightly crisp edges and a buttery vanilla finish. This easy sugar cookie recipe chills briefly and bakes in 8–10 minutes, making it perfect for decorating or everyday baking.

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Ingredients

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 2–3 minutes.
2. Add egg and vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla until fully combined. Scrape down the bowl.
3. Whisk dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Form the dough: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix just until combined (do not overmix).
5. Chill: Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to control spread.
6. Roll and cut: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough to about ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and cut shapes.
7. Bake: Bake on a parchment-lined sheet for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers look slightly soft.
8. Cool: Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

• Don’t overbake: Pull cookies when centers look slightly soft; they finish setting as they cool.
• Measure flour correctly: Spoon and level for consistent texture.
• Chill time matters: 30 minutes helps cookies hold shape and prevents excess spread.
• Thicker cookies: Chill up to 1 hour and roll slightly thicker.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24 cookies Serving Size: 1 cookie
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 150Total Fat: 7gCarbohydrates: 18gSugar: 10gProtein: 1.5g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an estimate only. Actual values may vary depending on specific ingredients, brands used, and portion sizes.

If you enjoy classic homemade cookies, try our soft chocolate chip cookies recipe or cinnamon-sugar snickerdoodle cookies recipe for another timeless favorite.

Final Thoughts

There’s something timeless about a classic sugar cookie recipe. Soft, buttery, and lightly golden at the edges, these cookies are perfect for holidays, celebrations, or quiet afternoons at home.

Bake a batch to share, decorate them for special occasions, or enjoy them simply with a cup of coffee. However you serve them, this classic sugar cookie recipe is one you’ll return to again and again.