This post was originally published on October 12, 2021 and was improved and updated on August 25, 2024.

Why This Sugar Cookie Dough Recipe is a Must-Have

Let’s be honest, sugar cookies are just the best—they have a special place in my heart. They’re versatile, easy to make, and a blank canvas for creativity. You can dress them up with sprinkles, frost them with buttercream, or even sandwich them together with a bit of jam or chocolate spread.

And the best part? This particular sugar cookie recipe is as straightforward as it gets—no fancy ingredients or complicated steps, just classic, delicious sugar cookies, quickly and easily. And I know you’re going to love them.

These cookies have the perfect balance of soft and chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, the dough is easy to work with and the cookies bake up beautifully as simple rounds. Now, let’s make some!

The Short List of Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: The key to a tender cookie is softened butter. Make sure it’s at room temperature so it creams beautifully with the sugar.
• Sugar: This gives the cookie its sweet flavor and helps create that perfect, slightly crispy edge.
• Egg: The egg adds structure and richness to the dough.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla is the flavor backbone of any sugar cookie. Use a good quality extract for the best results.
• All-purpose flour: All-purpose (unbleached) flour gives the cookies a slightly more robust flavor and texture.
• Baking soda: This helps the cookies rise just enough to be soft and tender.
• Sea salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.

How to Make This Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe

1. Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While it’s heating up, line three baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside for now.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a medium-sized bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using an electric mixer for a couple of minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Add the Egg and Vanilla: Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Continue mixing for another minute until everything is well combined, but don’t to overboard here.
4. Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and sea salt.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Then add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the flour into the dough until it’s just combined. Be careful not to overmix—overworking the dough can make your cookies tough.
6. Scoop the Dough: Using a 1.5 TBS cookie scoop, scoop the dough and plop it onto your prepared baking sheets. Leave a little space between each cookie, as they’ll spread slightly while baking.
7. Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies for 9-10 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are just starting to turn golden. They will puff up slightly during baking, but that’s okay—they’ll settle and firm up as they cool.
8. Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

These Cookies Are A Blank Canvas

One of the best things about this basic sugar cookie dough is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can roll it out and use cookie cutters to create fun shapes, or keep it simple with classic rounds (which is my favorite way to make them, because it’s so simple). If you’re feeling adventurous, you can add mix-ins like sprinkles or even a pinch of cinnamon for a fun little twist.

And let’s not forget about decorating! These cookies are perfect for icing. Whether you go for a simple glaze or get fancy with royal icing and intricate designs, this dough holds up beautifully to whatever you throw at it.

I think every baker needs a go-to sugar cookie recipe, and this one is as reliable as they come. It’s simple, versatile, and always delicious—perfect for any occasion or just a sweet treat for yourself. So, next time you’re in the mood for something sweet my friend, give this basic sugar cookie dough a try. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.