Classic Sugar Cookie

Classic Sugar Cookie: 5-Step Perfect & Easy Recipe

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Classic Sugar Cookie: 5-Step Perfect & Easy Recipe

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Magic of a Classic Sugar Cookie

There’s a simple, heartwarming magic to a perfectly baked cookie. This recipe delivers just that, guiding you through every step to create the ultimate classic sugar cookie. Forget cookies that spread into thin, crispy blobs. This foolproof recipe yields soft, buttery cookies with crisp edges that hold their shape beautifully, making them the perfect canvas for all your decorating dreams. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your journey, you’re in the right place.

This is more than just a recipe; it’s a foundation for memories. From holiday baking with family to a quiet afternoon treat, these homemade sugar cookies are a joy to make and even more of a joy to share. We’ve perfected the balance of ingredients and simplified the method to ensure your success every single time.

Why You’ll Love This Classic Sugar Cookie: 5-Step Perfect & Easy Recipe

This recipe stands out for its simplicity and reliability. The dough is a dream to work with—it’s not too sticky and rolls out smoothly. Most importantly, these cookies don’t spread during baking, meaning your intricate snowflake or heart shapes will come out of the oven looking just as sharp as when they went in.

The flavor is pure, classic comfort: buttery, sweet, with a hint of vanilla. It’s the perfect base for royal icing, buttercream, or even just a simple sprinkle of colored sugar. This is the one classic sugar cookie recipe you’ll turn to again and again.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Sugar Cookies

The beauty of a classic sugar cookie lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create these delicious treats:

  • Unsalted Butter: Must be softened to room temperature for proper creaming. This is the base of our flavor and texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create that tender crumb.
  • Large Egg: Acts as a binder, holding everything together.
  • All-Purpose Flour: The structure of our cookie. Be sure to measure it correctly!
  • Baking Powder: Gives the cookies a slight lift, preventing them from being too dense.
  • Salt: A crucial ingredient that balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract: Use a good quality extract for the best, most authentic flavor.

Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need a professional kitchen, but a few key tools will make the process much smoother. Having these on hand will ensure your baking experience is as easy and enjoyable as possible.

  • Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer with a large bowl
  • Rolling Pin
  • Parchment Paper
  • Baking Sheets
  • Cookie Cutters of your choice
  • Spatula
  • Wire Cooling Rack

Step-by-Step Guide: Baking Your Sugar Cookies

Follow these steps closely for perfect results. The key to a great classic sugar cookie is patience, especially during the chilling phase!

Step 1: Preparing the Dough

  1. In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This process, known as creaming, incorporates air and is vital for the cookie’s texture. For a deeper understanding of this technique, King Arthur Baking has an excellent guide.
  2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating well until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated evenly.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix!
  4. Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a 1-inch thick disk, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days. This chilling step is non-negotiable for preventing spread!

Step 2: Rolling and Cutting

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator. Let it sit for a few minutes to become slightly more pliable. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to a 1/4-inch thickness.
  3. Using your favorite cookie cutters, cut out shapes and carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1-2 inches of space between each cookie.
  4. For extra-sharp edges, you can place the baking sheet with the cut-out cookies into the freezer for 10 minutes before baking.

Step 3: Baking to Perfection

  1. Bake for 8-11 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn a light golden brown. The centers should still look soft and pale.
  2. For even baking, rotate the baking sheets halfway through the baking time.
  3. Be careful not to overbake, as this will result in a dry, crunchy cookie rather than a soft, tender one. The perfect homemade sugar cookies have a soft bite.

Step 4: Cooling and Decorating

  1. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  2. Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time for the fun part: cookie decorating! Use your favorite royal icing, buttercream frosting, sprinkles, or colored sugars to bring your creations to life. This is a fantastic activity for baking with kids.

Tips, Tricks, and Variations for Sugar Cookie Success

Want to elevate your classic sugar cookie game? Here are a few professional tips and fun variations to try.

  • Don’t Skip the Chill: We can’t say it enough! Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, which is the number one secret to preventing the cookies from spreading in the oven.
  • Flavor Variations: Swap out the vanilla extract for almond extract for a classic holiday flavor. You can also add the zest of one lemon or orange to the sugar before creaming for a bright, citrusy twist.
  • Even Thickness: Use rolling pin guides or two wooden dowels on either side of your dough to ensure you roll it to a perfectly even thickness. This promotes even baking.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

These cookies are perfect for any occasion—holiday parties, cookie swaps, bake sales, or simply with a glass of milk. They make wonderful gifts when packaged in a festive tin or box. See others recipes here for more holiday baking inspiration.

To store, place undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If they are decorated with royal icing, let the icing dry completely (6-8 hours) before stacking them between layers of parchment paper in an airtight container. Decorated cookies will also last for about a week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my sugar cookies spread so much?

Spreading is the most common issue with sugar cookies and it’s almost always due to the butter being too warm. This can happen if the butter was too soft to begin with, or if the dough wasn’t chilled for long enough. Chilling the dough for at least one hour is crucial. For extra insurance, you can also chill the cut-out cookies on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes in the freezer right before they go into the oven. This solidifies the butter, ensuring a sharp, perfect shape.

Can I make the dough ahead of time and freeze it?

Absolutely! This classic sugar cookie dough freezes beautifully. After preparing the dough, form it into two flat disks and wrap them tightly in two layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. To use, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight before rolling, cutting, and baking as directed.

How do I get my royal icing to dry perfectly?

The key to perfectly set royal icing is air circulation and time. Once your cookies are decorated, leave them uncovered at room temperature on a wire rack. This allows air to circulate all around the cookie. It can take anywhere from 6 to 24 hours for the icing to fully harden, depending on the humidity in your home and the thickness of your icing. Avoid storing them in a sealed container until the icing is completely firm to the touch.

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