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There are days when rolling out cookie dough feels like a charming little project…and then there are those days, the ones where you’re already in your fuzzy socks, the dog is barking at absolutely nothing, and you just want cookies without having to wrestle a rolling pin.
These no-roll sugar cookies are the answer to that very specific mood—the “I want cookies and I want them now” kind of day. They bake up soft, lightly golden, and just sweet enough, like the simple sugar cookies our moms used to make, but easier. No chilling, no fancy steps. Just scoop, sprinkle, bake, and enjoy.
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Why You’ll Love These Sugar Cookies
Because sometimes the best cookies are the ones that don’t ask a lot from you. These cookies are soft, tender, and buttery with those classic sugary edges—you know, the ones that crunch just a little when you take a bite. Everything comes together in one bowl, there’s no rolling, no cutting, and no absolutely no drama. Just reliable, everyday cookies that make the whole kitchen smell like childhood.
Ingredient Notes
- Unsalted butter: Room-temperature butter is your friend here—it creams beautifully with the sugar and gives the cookies their soft texture.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar for both sweetness and that golden edge.
- Egg: Helps the cookies puff slightly and hold together.
- Vanilla extract: Don’t skip it—it gives these simple cookies their warm, classic flavor.
- Flour: Spoon and level so the cookies don’t turn dry.
- Baking soda: Gives lift without making them cakey.
- Sea salt: Just enough to keep the sweetness in check.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Unlike most sugar cookies, these easy no roll sugar cookies come together fast and don’t require any prep work or chill time (other than letting the butter come up to room temperature, of course).
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Then, in a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until it looks pale and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix for another minute or so, but try not to add too much air at this point.
- Add the flour, baking soda, and sea salt to the bowl and mix until just combined—stop as soon as the flour disappears.
Tip
Add the flour to the bowl first, then sprinkle the baking soda and salt into a small well before mixing. Use an electric mixer to blend until crumbly. Then finish mixing with a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula to avoid over-mixing the flour.
- Using a 1.5 TBS cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto a lined baking sheet.
- Generously sprinkle the tops of the cookies with sugar or sprinkles, if that’s your jam.
- Bake for 10 minutes, cool for several minutes on a wire rack, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Don’t over-mix the dough after adding the flour; that’s the fastest way to tough cookies.
- You don’t want to over-bake these cookies. They’ll be very light colored and slightly puffy when the 10 minute timer is up. That’s what we’re going for. They’ll settle down as they cool. I like to let them sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before I transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add a splash of almond extract with the vanilla if you want that old-fashioned bakery flavor.
- Holiday mode? Sprinkle the tops with sprinkles or gently roll the scooped dough in sanding sugar or holiday colored sprinkles.
- These cookies are also amazing when frosted. Skip the sprinkling of sugar and bake as directed. Once cool, top with homemade buttercream frosting.
And that’s the real magic of these no-roll sugar cookies—they’re simple, a little nostalgic, and reliably good. The kind of recipe you tuck into your back pocket because it never, ever lets you down. Bake a batch for the neighbors, stash a few in the freezer for future you, or just enjoy one warm with your afternoon (or morning, no judgment—it’s Christmastime) coffee. 😁
Are Sugar Cookies Your Thing? Check These Out Too
Easy No-Roll Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cup flour (all-purpose, spooned and leveled)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium size bowl, cream butter and sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract and mix for an additional minute.1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the bowl and mix until just combined.1 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp sea salt
- Using a 1.5 TBS cookie scoop, scoop dough onto lined baking sheets, 2 inches apart, and sprinkle the tops of each cookie with sugar (or sprinkles).
- Bake for 10 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even baking.
- Let cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store cookies in airtight container for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- If you need frosting too, this is the best homemade buttercream
- For the softest cookies, don’t over-mix once the flour goes in.
- Bake just until the edges are lightly golden—cookies will set as they cool.
- Add sprinkles or sanding sugar to the tops before baking for extra sparkle.
- Make-ahead tip: Freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months.
I love everything about this recipe. The simplicity. The manageable yield — not overkill. One bowl. Perfect.
Thank you so much Lisa! Sometimes the most simple recipes are the best, for oh…so many reasons!
I love sugar cookies. I’m not sure why I only make them in December! These look perfect! My dough can be a real pain to roll out!! Giving these a try, ASAP!
Me too, Beth! And the no-roll variety are perfect for enjoying all year long! I find these easier to whip up than chocolate chip even, haha!
This sounds like an easy, perfect cookie recipe! Your photos are gorgeous Kristine 🙂
Thank you so much Marie! You just made my day, girl! ☺️
I’m smitten! They look perfect and I’m sold on the idea of them being no roll and one bowl. I must try these soon!
They are so easy Shinta, you’ll love them! Thank you so much, happy weekend!
A simple, classic recipe. Love it! And that there’s such little clean up. Looks like I’ll be making these tonight!
Thank you so much, Nancy! They’re so easy; I hope you love them!
I loved these sugar cookies! So buttery, melt-in-your-mouth and so delicious. Can’t wait to make these again!
I’m so glad to hear it Natalie! Thank you so much for taking a minute to comment, I really appreciate it. Happy baking!
They look superb and sound so simple to make, you can’t beat a simple honest to goodness cookie without all the nonsense 🙂
Thank you so much Brian! I agree, no nonsense cookies are my jam!
These look like the perfect cookies. I might try making these with my daughter at the weekend.
Thank you Danielle, I hope you enjoy them!
This is such a simple recipe but sounds so easy and delicious, I love it!
Thanks Amy, super delicious and super easy, WINNER! ☺️
Perfect for school runs, planning to make those for the lunch box.They are so simple
They would be the perfect sweet treat to send to school, Laura! I hope you enjoy them!
Made these today. My husband loves sugar cookies. So EASY AND QUICK! Crisp and yummy!!!!! 5 Star! A keeper!
Hey Jan! WOOOHOOO!! I’m so glad to hear it. The crispy edges are hands down my favorite part too! Thanks so much for stopping by to comment. XOXO ?
Sugar cookies are universally loved, and a simple recipe makes them super fun to make! Thanks for sharing this yummy looking recipe. I’m all about less work and fewer dishes 😉
Thank you so much Colleen! I couldn’t agree with you more, less dishes is always a win! So glad you stopped by!
Hi, Kristine! Those cookies look so pretty and yummy. Do you happen to know if I can make them with cake flour? Thank you. Have a lovely day 🙂
Hi Romy! Thank you so much! I’ve never tried using cake flour in cookies, or in this recipe, but I’ve read that you can try substituting cake flour for all-purpose at 1 cup + 2 tsp per 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Keep in mind that cake flour is less dense, has lower protein, and has less gluten so the cookies will almost definitely be very delicate and may fall apart. If you try it, let me know how it goes and how that come out. 🙂
Thank-you for this recipe hunny! My six year old daughter and I made them together and we rolled some in sprinkles and some with sugar. Both my daughter and 2 year old son are very happy and it was super duper easy!
Hey Lo! You are SO welcome. I’m so glad you had a good time baking these cookies – they’re one of my weekly recipes to be honest, haha! Thanks so much for the review, I appreciate it. Happy baking!
BEST sugar cookie recipe EVER! My fiancée loves them and asks me to make them all the time! I have found that adding a little peanut butter in makes for the best peanut butter cookie I’ve ever had as well!!!
I love this Meagan! Thank you so much for the feedback on these cookies—they’re one of my favorites too! I’ll have to try adding peanut butter to them too, YUM!
I don’t normally make comments about the recipes I try but these cookies are absolutely fantastic. I did not do the last step and sprinkle sugar on top and they still turned out AMAZING. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. This will be my sugar cookie recipe from now on.
I was searching for a simple and delicious sugar cookie recipe. THIS was definitely it!!!
This was amazing and super easy!! LOVED the results and was not complicated at all. Would definietly make again AND reccomend.
I made these today with my granddaughter. They were easy make. I had her use a cup with a flat bottom to dip in sugar and flatten the dough a little and then she put sprinkles on top. I baked them for the 10 minutes like the recipe stated, but they didn’t seem like they were finished so I put them back in for another 2-3 minutes. My grandkids and my elderly mom loved them! I love that it makes a smaller batch. Will definitely make these again.
These are perfect! Super easy to make in just a few minutes! Needed some cookies for a dozen or so kids and these were perfect and delicious! Already saved to my favorites!
I stumbled on this recipe when my first recipe for sugar cookies were a flop. I looked it over and thought these look pretty good !! These are not only good !!! They are fantastic !!! Exactly what I wanted !! They are a donation for a Veteran’s Day celebration in my area. Thank you for an awesome recipe. They will be frosted with white buttercream and red, white and blue sprinkles !!!🇺🇲🇺🇸