Follow Me !
The Softest Sugar Cookies of Your Life from The Food Charlatan.
These soft sugar cookies are tender, buttery, and delicately flavored with vanilla and almond extract. They come together with simple pantry ingredients, bake quickly, and make a delightful treat for holidays, parties, lunchboxes, or everyday cravings.
Prep Time: Not provided
Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes
Total Time: Not provided
Servings: Not provided
Why Make This Recipe
- Soft and tender: The buttery dough creates cookies with a delicate texture and lightly golden edges.
- Simple ingredients: You likely have most of what you need in your pantry and refrigerator.
- Easy to customize: Enjoy the cookies plain or finish them with buttercream or royal icing.
- Perfect for sharing: Their classic flavor makes them a crowd-pleasing choice for celebrations, cookie trays, and gifts.
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
- Frosting of choice (Buttercream or Royal Icing)
How to Make It
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare your oven so it reaches the correct temperature before the cookies go in.
In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix the dry ingredients evenly so the leavening agents distribute throughout the dough.
In a larger bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and egg until smooth. Mix in vanilla and almond extract. Beat the ingredients until the mixture is smooth, then stir in both extracts for a rich, fragrant flavor.
Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Add the flour mixture slowly and mix just until the ingredients come together into a soft dough.
Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass. Leave space between the dough balls so the cookies can bake evenly.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let cool on wire racks. Watch the cookies closely near the end of baking, then transfer them to wire racks to cool.
Frost with your favorite icing or enjoy plain. Once cool, decorate the cookies with buttercream or royal icing, or serve them as they are.
How to Serve It
- Serve the cookies with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or a cold glass of milk.
- Frost them with buttercream or royal icing and add colorful sprinkles for birthdays and holidays.
- Arrange them on a dessert platter alongside brownies, bars, or other homemade cookies.
How to Store It
Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Place parchment or wax paper between frosted layers to help protect the icing.
For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe airtight container. Separate layers with parchment paper, and thaw them at room temperature before serving.
These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature. If the cookies seem firm after storage, allow them to sit at room temperature rather than reheating them, which helps preserve their soft texture and any frosting.
Helpful Tips
- Use softened butter so it creams smoothly with the sugar and egg.
- Avoid overmixing after adding the flour mixture; blend only until the dough comes together.
- Flatten the dough balls evenly so the cookies bake at a similar rate.
- Let the cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent the icing from melting.
Optional Variations
- Add colorful sprinkles to the dough or decorate the frosted cookies with sprinkles for a festive finish.
- Increase the almond-forward flavor by using almond extract in the icing as well.
- Add a small amount of food coloring to the frosting to match a holiday, birthday, or special event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I serve these sugar cookies without frosting?
Yes. The cookies have a buttery vanilla-almond flavor and can be enjoyed plain.
What type of frosting works best?
Buttercream or royal icing both work well. Choose buttercream for a creamy finish or royal icing for a smooth, decorative coating.
Why should the butter be softened?
Softened butter blends more easily with the sugar and egg, helping create a smooth cookie dough.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes. Freeze completely cooled cookies in an airtight freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
How do I keep the cookies soft?
Store them in an airtight container and avoid overbaking. Remove them from the oven when they are golden, as directed.
Soft Sugar Cookies
These soft sugar cookies are tender, buttery, and flavored with vanilla and almond extract, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Make sure it's softened for better mixing.
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Frosting
- Frosting of choice (Buttercream or Royal Icing) Optional, for decoration.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare your oven so it reaches the correct temperature before the cookies go in.
- In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a larger bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and egg until smooth. Mix in vanilla and almond extract.
Mixing
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined into a soft dough.
Baking
- Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with a glass.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden. Let cool on wire racks.
Serving
- Frost with your favorite icing or enjoy plain. Serve with coffee, tea, or milk.
Notes
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container.
