Easy Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe
These tender, chewy sugar cookies are rolled in sugar for a crackling crust and baked until the edges are just pale golden.
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Dough
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour divided
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter softened
- 0.75 cup vegetable shortening
- 1.25 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract optional
- 0.25 cup coarse sugar or sprinkles for rolling
Instructions
Sugar Cookie Dough
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
- In a bowl, whisk together 2½ cups flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a mixer, beat butter, shortening, and 1¼ cups sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating after each, then mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
- Gradually blend in the reserved flour mixture until just combined.
- Form dough into 1-inch balls, roll in coarse sugar or sprinkles.
- Space cookies 2 inches apart on sheets and flatten slightly with a glass.
- Bake 9–11 minutes until edges are very light golden.
- Let stand on pan 2 minutes before moving to a rack to cool completely.
Notes
I discovered that letting the butter soften at room temperature for exactly 30 minutes yields a more uniform cream when mixed with sugar.
At minute eight, I heard a soft bubbling—perfect timing to slide the tray out for that ideal tender bite.
Layering parchment between cookies in my tin kept them from sticking, preserving that signature glossy top.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!