Soft Sugar Cookies are the ultimate nostalgic treat: gloriously tender, delicately sweet, and topped with a shimmering, crackly sugar crust that melts into every bite. Whether you grew up enjoying these at celebrations or you’re searching for a new favorite, Soft Sugar Cookies are the kind of recipe that brings people together — perfect for a casual afternoon snack, lunchbox surprise, or festive holiday platter. With their buttery flavor and crowd-pleasing texture, it’s hard to stop at just one!

Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Soft Sugar Cookies lies in their simple ingredients, each one playing a crucial role in crafting that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth experience. Don’t skip or swap—every item in this lineup brings softness, flavor, or that signature sugar sparkle.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and just the right amount of chewiness to keep your cookies soft.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies puff up slightly in the oven for a light, tender texture.
Baking powder: Adds extra lift, ensuring the cookies don’t turn out dense.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and boosts all the other flavors.
Unsalted butter (softened): Gives the cookies a rich, buttery flavor and helps create that classic silky texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and forms the crunchy, sparkling coating on each cookie ball.
Large egg: Binds the dough, adds moisture, and contributes to that delicate crumb.
Vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and depth—don’t skimp on the quality here!
Almond extract (optional): For a subtle, nutty aroma that makes these Soft Sugar Cookies truly bakery-worthy.
Milk: Adds a touch of extra moisture and ensures your cookies stay soft for days.
Additional sugar for rolling: This simple finishing touch is what makes every bite sparkle and pop.

How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This step is more important than it seems! Evenly distributing your leavening will guarantee the Soft Sugar Cookies rise perfectly and bake up with a consistent texture throughout every batch.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it’s light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This process traps air in the dough (hello, soft and tender cookies) and ensures that beautiful union of buttery sweetness you expect from Soft Sugar Cookies.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Crack in your egg, pour in the vanilla extract, the optional almond extract if you’re using it, and the milk. Beat everything until smooth and creamy. The extracts add depth and aroma, while milk keeps the cookies plush and prevents them from being dry.

Step 4: Combine and Form the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing on low just until the dough forms. The key is not to over-mix—stop as soon as there are no streaks of flour left for the softest Soft Sugar Cookies imaginable.

Step 5: Scoop, Roll, and Sugar

Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll into balls with your hands. Next, roll each ball generously in granulated sugar. This is what creates that iconic, sparkling, crackly finish on your Soft Sugar Cookies!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the sugared dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each one. Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes. You’ll know they’re perfect when the edges are set, but the centers still look a tiny bit soft. This is what keeps Soft Sugar Cookies chewy and cloud-like even after they cool down.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes to finish setting up, then transfer them carefully to a wire rack to cool completely. The aroma alone is enough to draw the whole household to the kitchen!

How to Serve Soft Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

If you want to take Soft Sugar Cookies to the next level, try sprinkling the tops with colored sugar or festive sprinkles before baking. For a grown-up twist, a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt right after they come out of the oven is sublime. A drizzle of simple icing or a dip in melted chocolate are also tempting upgrades for any occasion!

Side Dishes

Serve Soft Sugar Cookies alongside a cool glass of milk, a hot mug of coffee, or your favorite tea. If you’re entertaining, arrange them with a fresh fruit platter or pair with vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert duo that never fails to impress.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking Soft Sugar Cookies in cellophane bags tied with ribbon or layering them in clear boxes for gift-giving. For parties, create a colorful cookie tray mixed with frosted versions, or use cookie cutters to shape them for special holidays. You can even make ice cream sandwiches with a scoop of your favorite flavor nestled between two cookies!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cool, place the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Soft Sugar Cookies stay deliciously tender and chewy for up to five days—just be sure to keep them well-sealed to avoid drying out.

Freezing

If you want to get ahead, you can freeze both the baked cookies and unbaked dough balls. For baked cookies, let them cool, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag. For dough balls, freeze individually, then store together so you can bake fresh Soft Sugar Cookies anytime you like.

Reheating

To revive day-old or thawed cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for a minute or two, or microwave for just 8-10 seconds. They’ll taste like they just came out of the oven—soft, warm, and irresistible!

FAQs

Why are my Soft Sugar Cookies turning out hard instead of soft?

Most often, hard cookies happen from baking too long or over-measuring the flour. Be sure to take the cookies out while the centers still look a little underdone, and spoon and level the flour for accuracy.

Can I substitute almond extract with something else?

Absolutely! Almond extract adds a subtle flavor, but you can omit it completely or swap it for extra vanilla. If you want a citrusy touch, try a bit of lemon or orange zest for something new.

What’s the best way to get perfect round cookies?

Using a cookie scoop for your dough ensures each Soft Sugar Cookie comes out the same size and bakes evenly. Rolling the dough balls in your hands and then in sugar gives that perfect, bakery-worthy shape and finish.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, use a reliable 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of standard flour. Check that your baking powder and other mix-ins are certified gluten-free, and you should be able to enjoy tender, Soft Sugar Cookies without a hitch.

How can I decorate Soft Sugar Cookies for holidays?

Add festive colored sugars or sprinkles before baking, or let the kids have fun with icing and candy decorations once the cookies have cooled. Cookie cutters in theme shapes also make them extra special for any celebration!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, few things are more comforting and joyful than a tray of homemade Soft Sugar Cookies. If you haven’t tried them yet, now is the perfect time. Your kitchen (and anyone lucky enough to taste them) will thank you—happy baking!

Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Soft Sugar Cookies are a classic treat that are perfect for any occasion. With a chewy texture and just the right amount of sweetness, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
2 tablespoons milk
additional sugar for rolling

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract if using, and milk until smooth.
Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until fully combined and a soft dough forms.
Shape and bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough, roll into balls, coat with granulated sugar, and place on baking sheet. Bake for 9–11 minutes until edges are set but centers are slightly soft. Cool before transferring to a wire rack.