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Best-Ever Softest Sugar Cookies
These soft sugar cookies are tender, buttery, and wonderfully simple to make. With lightly crisp edges, a soft center, and a smooth layer of buttercream frosting or royal icing, they are a cheerful treat for holidays, birthdays, bake sales, and everyday cravings.
Quick Overview
- Prep time: Not provided
- Cook time: 8 to 10 minutes
- Total time: Not provided
- Servings: Not provided
Why Make This Recipe
- Simple ingredients: This recipe uses familiar pantry staples and straightforward preparation.
- Soft, buttery texture: Creamed butter and sugar create a rich dough with a tender bite.
- Easy to decorate: Frost the cooled cookies with buttercream frosting or royal icing for any occasion.
- Crowd-pleasing flavor: Classic vanilla sugar-cookie flavor makes these treats popular with both children and adults.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/2 cup secret ingredient (e.g., sour cream or cream cheese)
- Buttercream frosting or royal icing for decoration
How to Make It
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Make sure the oven is fully heated before baking so the cookies spread and brown evenly.
In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients first helps distribute the leavening agents and salt throughout the flour.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat until the mixture looks smooth and well combined.
Beat in the egg and vanilla. Mix until the egg and vanilla are fully incorporated into the butter mixture.
Gradually blend dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Add the dry ingredients gradually, mixing until a cohesive cookie dough forms.
If using, mix in the secret ingredient until well combined. Add the sour cream or cream cheese and mix until evenly blended into the dough.
Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. Leave space between the dough balls so the cookies can spread as they bake.
Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass. Press gently to create evenly shaped cookies.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Watch closely toward the end of baking so the cookies do not overbake.
Let cool on wire racks before frosting with buttercream or royal icing. Allow the cookies to cool before decorating so the frosting stays smooth and does not melt.
How to Serve It
- Frost the cooled cookies with buttercream frosting or royal icing, then add sprinkles or simple decorative designs.
- Serve them with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or a cold glass of milk.
- Arrange them on a dessert platter for holidays, birthdays, showers, or casual gatherings.
How to Store It
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature if they will be eaten soon. Keep decorated cookies in a single layer when possible, or separate layers with parchment paper to protect the frosting.
For longer storage, place the cookies in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze them. Thaw them at room temperature before serving. These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature; reheating is not necessary and may soften or melt the frosting.
Helpful Tips
- Use softened butter so it creams smoothly with the sugar and blends evenly into the dough.
- Avoid overmixing after adding the flour. Mix only until the ingredients are combined for a tender texture.
- Let the cookies cool completely on wire racks before frosting to keep the decoration neat and stable.
Optional Variations
- Use sour cream or cream cheese as the optional 1/2 cup secret ingredient for a slightly richer, softer cookie.
- Add a small amount of extra vanilla flavor by using vanilla-forward buttercream or royal icing.
- Decorate the cookies with different frosting colors, sprinkles, or simple icing designs to match holidays and celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I decorate these sugar cookies before they cool?
It is best to let them cool on wire racks first. Frosting or royal icing can melt or slide on warm cookies.
Do I need to grease the cookie sheets?
No. The directions call for placing the dough balls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Bake them for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden.
Can I use either buttercream frosting or royal icing?
Yes. Use buttercream frosting for a soft, creamy finish or royal icing for a smoother decorative coating.
Can I freeze the finished cookies?
Yes. Store them in an airtight, freezer-safe container and thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Soft Sugar Cookies
These soft sugar cookies are tender, buttery, and simple to make. They have lightly crisp edges, a soft center, and can be decorated with buttercream frosting or royal icing, making them perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the cookie dough
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Use softened butter for easy creaming.
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup secret ingredient (e.g., sour cream or cream cheese) Optional for richer cookies.
For decoration
- Buttercream frosting or royal icing For decorating cookies.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla until fully incorporated.
- Gradually blend dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until a cohesive dough forms.
- If using, mix in the secret ingredient.
- Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving space for spreading.
- Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass.
Baking
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden. Watch closely to avoid overbaking.
- Let cool on wire racks before frosting.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze them in an airtight container.
