How to Make the Best Sugar Cookie Flavors at Home
Discover the best sugar cookie flavors! From classic to cotton candy-flavored, plus the best royal icing recipes, no-chill cut-outs, and gluten-free options. Bake delicious cookies today!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups 315g all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 230g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup 200g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Chill the Dough
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten into discs, and wrap in plastic wrap.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days). Chilling helps the dough hold its shape when baking.
Roll and Cut the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Transfer the cut-outs to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Bake
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before decorating.
Notes
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can make the cookies tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Flour Your Tools: Lightly flour your rolling pin and cookie cutters to prevent sticking.
- Uniform Thickness: Roll the dough evenly to ensure all cookies bake at the same rate.
- Decorating: Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, glaze, or sprinkles.