Irresistibly Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe: Buttery Homemade Joy

Sweet memories often bloom around soft sugar cookies that melt into buttery comfort.

My grandmother’s cherished recipe whispers stories of childhood afternoons in her cozy kitchen.

Each delicate morsel carries nostalgia wrapped in delightful simplicity.

Baking these cookies feels like wrapping yourself in a warm, sugary embrace.

The gentle crumb and subtle sweetness promise pure happiness with every bite.

Crisp edges and tender centers create a magical texture you’ll absolutely adore.

These cookies invite moments of pure, uncomplicated joy right from your own oven.

What to Pair with Soft Sugar Cookies

• Cold, fresh milk complements the soft sugar cookies perfectly, cutting through the sweetness and providing a smooth, cool contrast to the sugary treat.
• Light chamomile or lavender tea offers a delicate, floral counterpoint to the rich, buttery cookies, creating a gentle and sophisticated flavor harmony.
• A warm vanilla latte brings out the cookie's vanilla notes, adding depth and warmth while balancing the cookie's sugary profile with its creamy espresso base.
• A light, fizzy berry mocktail with hints of strawberry or raspberry provides a refreshing and vibrant companion that cleanses the palate between bites of these sweet cookies.

Sugar Cookie Flavor Combos to Explore

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring the same soft texture while accommodating those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Cookie Treat: Swap butter for coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and opt for plant-based milk in the frosting to create a dairy-free version.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Substitute flour with almond flour, use a sugar alternative like erythritol, and create a cream cheese-based frosting to maintain low-carb requirements.
• Citrus Zest Variation: Add lemon or orange zest to the cookie dough and incorporate corresponding extract for a bright, refreshing flavor profile that transforms the traditional sugar cookie.

Why Soft Sugar Cookies Are a Classic

• Soft sugar cookies offer delightful baking experiences for everyone.
• Simple steps and basic ingredients make this recipe perfect for novice bakers looking to build confidence in the kitchen.
• Preparation takes less than 30 minutes, with minimal cleanup and straightforward mixing techniques that reduce overall cooking complexity.
• Versatile cookies work wonderfully for family gatherings, birthday parties, holiday celebrations, and casual weekend treats that everyone will enjoy.

Everything You Need for Soft Sugar Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the soft sugar cookies, provides a tender and delicate texture.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter, Sugar: Core ingredients that create a rich, sweet base with creamy and soft consistency. Best when butter is softened at room temperature.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the cookie dough.
• Sour Cream: Adds extra moisture and helps create a tender, soft cookie texture.
• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Provides warm, aromatic flavor depth. Optional but recommended for enhanced taste.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with a sweet finish.
• Butter: Provides creamy base for frosting.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency and helps blend ingredients.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle flavor to the frosting.

How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies at Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F (175C). Grab parchment paper and line your baking sheets.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt

Set this magical mixture aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In a large bowl, grab your mixer and whip the softened butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud (about 2-3 minutes).

Step 4: Introduce Wet Companions

Drop in the eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla extract, almond extract, and sour cream. Blend until smooth.

Step 5: Marry Ingredients

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix gently until just combined. The dough will feel soft and pillowy.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Rounds

Use a cookie scoop or roll tablespoon-sized dough balls. Place them on baking sheets with breathing room (about 2 inches apart).

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the sheets into the oven for 8-10 minutes. Watch for set edges and slightly puffy tops. Keep them pale and tender.

Step 8: Cool Down

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 9: Whip Up Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Milk

Blend until silky smooth, adjusting milk for perfect consistency.

Step 10: Dress Up Cookies

Spread or pipe frosting onto cooled cookies. Sprinkle with food coloring or fun decorations if you’re feeling fancy.

Key Tips for the Softest Cookie Texture

• Soft Sugar Cookie Helpful Tips
• Master Butter Temperature: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure perfect creaming and smooth cookie texture.
• Prevent Tough Cookies: Mix dry and wet ingredients just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies dense and chewy.
• Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with different extracts like lemon, orange, or maple to create unique cookie profiles that suit your taste preferences.
• Perfect Baking Technique: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are lightly golden but centers still look slightly underbaked for ultra-soft, melt-in-your-mouth results.
• Frosting Consistency Control: Add milk or powdered sugar gradually when making frosting to achieve the ideal spreading or piping thickness without becoming too runny or stiff.

Storage Tricks for Sugar Cookies

• Store frosted cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Place unfrosted cookies in freezer bags, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving or adding frosting.
• Warm refrigerated cookies briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness, being careful not to overheat.

Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet sugar cookies from grandma’s kitchen bring nostalgic comfort to family gatherings. Buttery, delicate treats melt in your mouth, inviting you to savor each delightful bite of pure homemade happiness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (360 g/12.7 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g/8 ounces) unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup (200 g/7 ounces) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fluid ounces) sour cream

Leavening Agents:

• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for added flavor)

Frosting Ingredients:

• ½ cup (115 g/4 ounces) unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 cups (240 g/8.5 ounces) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk (to thin)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie placement.
2. Create a dry mixture by thoroughly whisking flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, then set aside for later incorporation.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous, approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Introduce eggs individually to the butter mixture, then blend in vanilla extract, almond extract, and sour cream until smooth and well-integrated.
5. Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined, ensuring a soft and cohesive dough forms.
6. Portion the dough using a cookie scoop or by rolling tablespoon-sized balls, positioning them evenly across the prepared baking sheets with sufficient spacing.
7. Slide the trays into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for set edges and slightly puffy tops while maintaining a pale appearance.
8. Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
9. Prepare the frosting by whipping butter until creamy, then gradually incorporating powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
10. Once cookies have completely cooled, decorate by spreading or piping frosting, optionally adding food coloring or sprinkles for visual appeal.

Notes

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to achieve the ideal creamy texture without melting, ensuring smooth cookie dough.
• Prevent Dry Cookies: Avoid overmixing the flour to keep cookies tender and soft, stirring just until ingredients are combined to maintain moisture.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, or use plant-based butter and egg alternatives for vegan cookies.
• Maximizing Flavor: Enhance taste by using high-quality vanilla extract or adding a pinch of almond extract for depth of flavor without overwhelming sweetness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg