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Best-Ever Sugar Cookies: Easy Homemade Recipe
These classic sugar cookies are crisp around the edges, tender in the center, and full of buttery, vanilla-almond flavor. They come together with simple pantry ingredients, making them an easy, reliable treat for holidays, bake sales, cookie swaps, or everyday cravings.
Quick Overview
- Prep Time: Not provided
- Cook Time: Not provided
- Total Time: Not provided
- Servings: Not provided
Why Make This Recipe
- Simple ingredients: This recipe uses familiar baking staples you may already have on hand.
- Easy preparation: The dough comes together in a few straightforward steps without complicated techniques.
- Delicious texture: Flattening the dough before baking helps create cookies with lightly golden edges and soft, tender centers.
- Crowd-pleasing flavor: Vanilla and almond extracts add a classic bakery-style flavor that makes these cookies extra special.
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 almond extract
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup white sugar for decoration
How to Make It
Preheat the oven. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Combine the dry ingredients. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
Prepare the cookie dough. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
Shape and decorate the cookies. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass, and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake and cool. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let cool on wire racks.
How to Serve It
- Serve the cookies with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or a cold glass of milk.
- Arrange them on a dessert platter for holidays, parties, or cookie exchanges.
- Add them to lunchboxes or serve them as a simple afternoon snack.
How to Store It
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Separate layers with parchment paper if needed to help protect their texture.
For longer storage, place the cookies in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze them. Thaw at room temperature before serving. To refresh their texture, warm them gently in a low oven until just heated through, taking care not to overbake them.
Helpful Tips
- Make sure the butter is softened before creaming it with the sugar so the mixture becomes smooth and evenly blended.
- Measure the flour carefully to help prevent dense or dry cookies.
- Avoid overbaking. Remove the cookies when they are golden so they maintain a tender center as they cool.
Optional Variations
- Replace the almond extract with additional vanilla extract for a purely vanilla-flavored cookie.
- Add a light sprinkle of colored sugar instead of white sugar for a festive finish.
- Stir finely grated citrus zest into the dough for a bright lemon or orange flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, but the added salt may slightly change the flavor. If using salted butter, consider reducing the 3/4 teaspoon salt.
Do I need to grease the cookie sheets?
No. The directions call for placing the dough balls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Why are the cookies flattened before baking?
Flattening the dough helps the cookies spread evenly and bake into their classic sugar-cookie shape.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Bake them for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden. Let them cool on wire racks after baking.
Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Yes. Place completely cooled cookies in an airtight, freezer-safe container and thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Classic Sugar Cookies
These classic sugar cookies are crisp around the edges, tender in the center, and full of buttery, vanilla-almond flavor. They are perfect for holidays, bake sales, and everyday cravings.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour Measured carefully to prevent dense cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt Reduce if using salted butter.
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Ensure butter is softened for better mixing.
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract Can be replaced with additional vanilla extract.
Decoration
- 1/4 cup white sugar for decoration
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
Making the Cookie Dough
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
Shaping and Baking
- Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass, and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let cool on wire racks.
Notes
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Warm in a low oven to refresh texture if needed.
