If you’re dreaming of bakery-style sweetness in your own kitchen, these Easy Sugar Cookies are your direct ticket to cookie bliss. This recipe has walked with me through countless birthdays, afternoon coffee breaks, and holiday parties–delivering pillowy-soft centers and sparkly, crisp edges every single time. With just one bowl (and a few pantry staples), you’re about to discover how truly irresistible a classic can be. The best part? The warm vanilla aroma that sweeps through your home as they bake is just the beginning!

Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These Easy Sugar Cookies are all about simple, tried-and-true ingredients that come together to create pure cookie magic. Every component has a purpose, whether it’s achieving that perfect tender crumb, adding a subtle richness, or delivering that signature sugary snap.

All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cookie, providing structure and a gently chewy bite.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft, airy texture without turning cakey.
Baking Powder: Balances out the baking soda, adding a little extra lift and lightness.
Unsalted Butter (softened): Lends a rich, buttery flavor that’s essential for tender, flavorful cookies.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and gives each cookie its signature sparkling, crunchy exterior.
Large Egg: Binds everything together while helping the cookies remain lush and soft in every bite.
Vanilla Extract: Infuses the dough with deep, fragrant vanilla notes—don’t skip it!
Almond Extract (optional): A splash of almond transforms these into an extra-special treat; use if you love that classic, sweet aroma.
Milk: Adds a touch of moisture, keeping the dough supple and the cookies soft.
Extra Granulated Sugar for Rolling: The secret to that glimmering, crisp outside and an irresistible first bite.

How to Make Easy Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans

Begin by preheating your oven to a toasty 375°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper so the cookies bake evenly and lift off without a fuss. This little bit of prep makes all the difference between golden-perfect cookies and messy sticking!

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. This quick mix ensures the leaveners are evenly distributed, so you’ll get consistently fluffy results with each cookie batch.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

Grab a large bowl and beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar for a solid 2–3 minutes, until it’s pale and fluffy. This step is critical—it traps air, giving your Easy Sugar Cookies that ideal light-in-the-middle, tender finish.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Next, add your egg, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and milk into the creamed mixture. Mix until everything’s well blended. At this stage, the dough should look creamy and smooth, promising lots of flavor in every bite.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until a dough forms—avoid overmixing to keep the texture soft. You should see a uniform, scoopable dough that’s tempting enough to sneak a taste (but try to resist!)

Step 6: Shape and Coat in Sugar

Scoop the dough by generous tablespoonfuls. Roll each into a ball, then give them a joyful tumble in extra granulated sugar, fully coating every side. This sugary layer bakes up sparkly and crisp—the hallmark of Easy Sugar Cookies.

Step 7: Arrange and Flatten

Place the sugar-rolled dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart so they have room to spread. Using the bottom of a glass, gently press each ball down just a bit—a little flattening helps create those classic round cookies with soft centers and crisp edges.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the cookie edges just start to turn a light golden color. Keep an eye on them; you want them set at the edges with pale, puffy centers—that’s the soft-bite magic of a great Easy Sugar Cookie.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes so they finish setting, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. As they cool, the centers settle into perfect chewiness—trust me, it’s worth the wait!

How to Serve Easy Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

You can keep it classic with just the sugar coating, or make your Easy Sugar Cookies pop with a sprinkle of festive colored sugar, rainbow sprinkles, or even a touch of edible glitter for a party look. They’ll look as inviting as they taste!

Side Dishes

A plate of Easy Sugar Cookies pairs beautifully with a steaming mug of tea, frothy cappuccino, or a simple glass of cold milk. For celebrations, add a bowl of fresh berries or a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream for a charming dessert platter.

Creative Ways to Present

Wrap stacks of cookies in cellophane with a ribbon for homemade gifts, or arrange them on a decorative cake stand for parties. If you’re feeling artistic, use royal icing to pipe patterns, initials, or playful shapes right onto each cookie—suddenly, you have edible art!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Easy Sugar Cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Slip a piece of parchment between layers to keep them from sticking, and enjoy fresh-tasting treats each day.

Freezing

These cookies are freezer-friendly—either freeze the baked cookies or the unbaked dough balls. For baked cookies, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. If freezing dough, prep as directed, then freeze balls on a tray before transferring to a bag. When cookie cravings hit, just bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the timer.

Reheating

If your Easy Sugar Cookies have chilled a bit too much, give them a quick warm-up in a low oven (about 300°F for 3–5 minutes). This little refresh brings back their fresh-baked snap and aroma without drying them out.

FAQs

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Absolutely! Just double the ingredients and use a stand mixer if you have one. It’s perfect for bake sales, parties, or whenever you want a mountain of Easy Sugar Cookies to share (or stash away for yourself).

Can I make these Easy Sugar Cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The texture will be slightly different, but the vibrant sweetness and buttery flavor will still shine through.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

If your cookies are spreading a lot, make sure your butter is just softened, not melted, and chill your dough balls for 15–20 minutes in the fridge before baking—especially if your kitchen is warm. This keeps the cookies nice and thick.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough, cover, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes if it’s too firm to scoop.

What’s the best way to decorate Easy Sugar Cookies for the holidays?

Ahead of baking, roll each ball in colored sugar or add festive sprinkles. After baking, try simple royal icing or a light glaze—get creative with fun shapes, colors, or even edible gold leaf for an extra-sparkly twist!

Final Thoughts

There’s something endlessly joyful about baking your own batch of Easy Sugar Cookies—those classic, melt-in-your-mouth rounds bring smiles to faces and warmth to every kitchen. Give this recipe a whirl, and soon you’ll have a plateful of golden, sweet goodness just waiting to be shared. Your future self (and your friends) will thank you—promise!