Description
The best sugar cookie recipe that delivers perfectly soft, tender, and beautifully shaped cookies every single time, without the dreaded spread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour (300g)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (226g), softened
- 1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar (300g)
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ teaspoon Almond Extract (optional)
Instructions
- **Prepare Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- **Cream Butter and Sugar:** In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- **Add Wet Ingredients:** Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- **Combine Wet and Dry:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- **Chill Dough:** Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days.
- **Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheet:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- **Roll and Cut:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer to baking sheets.
- **Bake:** Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still look soft. Do not overbake.
- **Cool:** Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- **Decorate (Optional):** Once completely cooled, decorate with royal icing, buttercream, or sprinkles.
Notes
Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing spread. For the softest cookies, ensure you don’t overbake. Store in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg