The Ultimate Sugar Cookies

Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, The Ultimate Sugar Cookies are a timeless treat that melts in your mouth and delights with every bite. Made with pantry staples like all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract, these cookies strike the perfect balance between a tender, chewy center and a subtly crisp edge. A quick, 20-minute prep time and optional sugar rolling step make this recipe both simple and customizable—add a sparkling touch with sanding sugar or keep it classic for a more understated elegance. Ideal for holiday baking, afternoon snacks, or gifting, these cookies bake to golden perfection in just 10 minutes, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. Whether shared with loved ones or enjoyed alongside your favorite warm beverage, these sugar cookies are a must-have addition to your baking repertoire.

Nutriscore Rating: 37/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 3 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Unsalted butter (softened)
• 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 2 pieces Large eggs
• 2 teaspoons Pure vanilla extract
• 0.25 cup Optional: granulated sugar or sanding sugar for rolling

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition.

Step 5

Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

Step 6

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 7

Optional: Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to handle.

Step 8

Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie and roll it into a ball. If desired, roll the dough ball in additional granulated sugar or sanding sugar for a sparkly finish.

Step 9

Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and just starting to turn golden. The centers may still look slightly underdone, but they will set as the cookies cool.

Step 11

Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 12

Serve and enjoy your pillowy-soft sugar cookies with a crisp bite!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1072.2 grams (1072.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4559

Total Fat 205.60g	264%
Saturated Fat 125.00g	625%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 889mg	296%
Sodium 1809mg	79%
Total Carbohydrate 639.20g	232%
Dietary Fiber 9.80g	35%
Total Sugars 360.20g
Protein 51.20g	102%

Vitamin D 197IU	983%
Calcium 155mg	12%
Iron 19mg	105%
Potassium 578mg	12%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.1%

Protein: 4.4%

Carbs: 55.4%