Sweet Sugar Cookie Cups Recipe

Delightful Sweet Sugar Cookie Cups Recipe for Happy Bakers

Baking delightful sugar cookie cups promises a magical culinary adventure that will sweeten any gathering.

These delectable treats combine the classic comfort of homemade sugar cookies with an irresistible twist.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a perfect texture that melts in your mouth.

Each bite delivers a burst of sugary goodness that dance across your palate.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making these cookie cups a breeze to prepare.

Decorated with colorful frosting or filled with creamy surprises, these cookie cups will become your new favorite dessert.

Serve them at parties, share with friends, or savor them as a personal indulgence that sparks pure joy.

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and give your mini muffin tin a quick spray of cooking oil.

  • Mix Your Magic Dough

Blend butter and sugar until they become a fluffy cloud. Splash in egg and vanilla, stirring until silky smooth. Gently fold in flour, baking powder, and salt until a soft dough emerges.

  • Create Cookie Shells

Roll dough into cute little balls, nestling one in each muffin cup. Use your finger or a spoon to press a cozy indent in the center, forming adorable tiny cups.

  • Bake and Shape

Slide the tin into the oven for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a gorgeous golden brown. Right after pulling them out, press centers again to ensure perfect cup shapes. Let them chill in the tin for a quick 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

  • Dress Up Your Treats

Once completely cool, go wild filling these delightful cups! Swirl in frosting, drizzle ganache, or dollop fruit preserves. Sprinkle with fun toppings like mini chocolate chips or colorful sprinkles.

  • Enjoy Your Creation

Serve immediately or keep in a sealed container for later munching. Watch everyone’s eyes light up when they see these adorable treats!

  • Perfect Texture Tricks: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cup edges.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie cups up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature for easy entertaining.
  • Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend to make these delightful treats celiac-friendly.
  • Filling Fun Variations: Experiment with cream cheese frosting, chocolate ganache, lemon curd, or seasonal fruit compotes for endless flavor combinations.
  • Vegan Version: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select plant-based ingredients to create a dairy-free and egg-free alternative that's equally delicious.
  • Sweet Celebration Platter: Create a stunning dessert display by arranging cookie cups on a decorative platter with varying heights, garnished with fresh berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
  • Flavor Adventure Station: Set up a DIY filling bar with multiple options like chocolate ganache, lemon curd, vanilla cream, and fruit preserves, allowing guests to customize their cookie cups with personal favorite fillings.
  • Seasonal Dessert Twist: Match cookie cup fillings to current holidays or seasons – use pumpkin spice cream for fall, peppermint chocolate for winter, fresh strawberry filling for spring, and tropical fruit compote for summer.
  • Dessert Pairing Magic: Serve alongside complementary beverages like cold milk, espresso, herbal tea, or dessert wines to enhance the overall tasting experience and create a delightful culinary moment.
  • Smart Storage Tactics: Keep cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Fridge-Friendly Strategy: When filled with cream-based or perishable fillings, refrigerate for up to 2 days to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
  • Freezing Magic: Wrap unfilled cookie cups individually in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before filling and serving.
  • Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare cookie dough and shape cups 1-2 days before baking. Store unbaked cups in refrigerator, covered, and bake just before serving for maximum flavor and texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 12

For Dough Base:
  • Butter: Provides richness and helps create tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture with smooth blending capability.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create crisp, golden edges with perfect caramelization.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie cups.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates the fundamental structure and gives classic cookie texture.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cookie cups rise and maintain light, airy consistency.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall flavor profile.
For Optional Fillings and Decorations:
  • Frosting, Ganache, Fruit Preserves: Adds delightful creamy or fruity center with versatile flavor options.
  • Sprinkles, Mini Chocolate Chips, Fresh Fruit: Provides colorful, textural garnish with personalized finishing touch.
  • Mini Muffin Tin: Essential for creating perfect cookie cup shapes and baking uniform treats.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining butter, sugar, and other wet ingredients smoothly.
  • Separate Mixing Bowl: Crucial for whisking dry ingredients before combining with wet mixture.
  • Electric Mixer or Whisk: Helps cream butter and sugar to light, fluffy consistency.
  • Measuring Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Wire Rack: Ideal for cooling cookie cups after baking.
  • Piping Bag or Spoon: Great for filling cookie cups with desired fillings.
  • Thumb or Measuring Spoon: Used to create cup-like indentation in cookie dough.
Print
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Sweet Sugar Cookie Cups Recipe

Sweet Sugar Cookie Cups Recipe


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4.6 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Delightful sugar cookie cups bring a whimsical twist to classic desserts, offering a perfect handheld treat. Creamy fillings nestled in crisp cookie shells provide a delectable combination that will tempt dessert enthusiasts to indulge.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (170 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (113 g/1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup frosting (store-bought or homemade)
  • Sprinkles
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Fresh fruit
  • Chocolate ganache
  • Fruit preserves
  • Whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick coating to guarantee smooth cookie extraction.
  2. Mixing Base: Vigorously cream butter and sugar until the mixture achieves a light, fluffy consistency with soft, billowing peaks, creating a luxurious foundation.
  3. Liquid Integration: Whisk egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending seamlessly to develop a smooth, homogeneous texture.
  4. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, ensuring a lump-free mixture that will distribute evenly throughout the dough.
  5. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a tender, cohesive dough with minimal manipulation to maintain delicate texture.
  6. Shaping Process: Roll dough into uniform 1-inch spheres, nestling one ball into each muffin cavity, then delicately press the center to create a signature cup-like indentation.
  7. Baking Transformation: Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden brown, signaling perfect doneness.
  8. Cooling and Refinement: Immediately upon removal, gently re-press centers to reinforce the cup shape while cookies remain warm and pliable, then allow to rest in the tin for 5 minutes.
  9. Final Touches: Transfer cookie cups to a wire rack to cool completely, then embellish with preferred fillings like velvety frosting, decadent ganache, or vibrant fruit preserves.
  10. Presentation and Serving: Garnish with decorative elements such as sprinkles, chocolate chips, or fresh fruits, and serve immediately or store in an airtight container to maintain optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Create Smooth Dough: Avoid overmixing when combining wet and dry ingredients to prevent tough, dense cookie cups with a rubbery texture.
  • Prevent Sticking: Use high-quality non-stick spray or generously grease the mini muffin tin to guarantee effortless cookie removal without breaking.
  • Perfect Cup Shape: Press the center of dough balls gently but firmly immediately after baking while cookies are still warm to maintain a clean, defined indentation.
  • Temperature Control: Allow cookie cups to cool completely before adding fillings to prevent melting and maintain structural integrity of the delicate pastry shell.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 90 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jenna Hartley

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

  • Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
  • Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
  • Food styling and photography for digital platforms.​

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

  • Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

  • Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
  • Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes. 

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.

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