If you have a sweet tooth and love those nostalgic treats from childhood, you are going to adore this Classic Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies strike the perfect balance between buttery richness and a delicate vanilla flavor, wrapped in a tender yet crisp texture. They are as fun to make as they are to eat, allowing you to cut them into your favorite shapes and decorate with colorful sprinkles, icing, or simply enjoy their sugary edges as is. Whether for holidays, special occasions, or just because, this recipe brings warmth and joy to any kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple pantry staples that come together to create the perfect cookie dough. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in giving the cookies their great structure, flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The base that provides the right balance of structure and tenderness.
- 1 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a light texture.
- ½ tsp baking powder: Gives a bit of additional lift and softness.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds rich flavor and creates that melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and caramelizes beautifully when baked.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: For that classic, warm vanilla flavor that defines these cookies.
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional): Gives a subtle nutty aroma enhancing the sweetness.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling): Coats the edges for an irresistible sugary crunch.
How to Make Classic Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s at the perfect temperature to bake your cookies evenly and to a delightful golden finish. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make clean-up a breeze.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Mixing these dry ingredients in advance ensures they are evenly distributed, which helps your cookies bake uniformly.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, usually about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is key to achieving that perfect tender crumb and a slight lift in the cookies.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
To the creamed butter and sugar, add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. These wet ingredients bind the cookie dough and infuse it with incredible flavor.
Step 5: Combine Dough
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Take your time here; the dough should come together without becoming overworked, which can make the cookies tough.
Step 6: Chill Dough
Divide your dough into manageable portions and wrap each tightly in plastic wrap. Chill for at least one hour. This resting period firms up the butter, making it easier to roll out the dough and helps the flavors meld beautifully.
Step 7: Roll and Cut
Once chilled, roll your dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes. This step is where you can get creative or keep things classic with simple circles.
Step 8: Roll in Sugar
Dip the edges of each cookie in the ¼ cup of granulated sugar. This little trick adds a sparkly, sweet crunch around the cookies’ perimeter that is simply irresistible.
Step 9: Bake
Place the cookies on your prepared baking sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are beautifully golden. Let them cool fully before decorating or enjoying to keep their delicate texture intact.
How to Serve Classic Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are fantastic on their own, sprinkle colorful sugar crystals or edible glitter on top before baking for a festive look. After baking, try piping on royal icing designs or adding a few mini chocolate chips to personalize your treat.
Side Dishes
Classic Rolled Sugar Cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea, a glass of cold milk, or even a rich hot chocolate. Serving them alongside a simple fruit salad or a bowl of fresh berries can add a refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your sugar cookies on a decorative platter, grouped by shape or color. Tie a few together with ribbon as a charming handmade gift, or stack them in clear jars layered with colorful icing for a delightful visual treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, making them a perfect make-ahead snack or dessert option.
Freezing
You can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies. Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag, then freeze for up to 3 months. For baked cookies, layer parchment between them in an airtight container before freezing.
Reheating
To refresh frozen baked cookies, warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This brings back their soft texture without over-drying them, so they taste just like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
While unsalted butter is recommended for control over salt content, you can use salted butter but reduce any additional salt you might add in recipes served with the cookies. Your cookies will still be delicious but slightly saltier.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
The almond extract is optional and can be left out without sacrificing much flavor. However, it adds a lovely hint of nuttiness that complements the vanilla. You could substitute with a little more vanilla extract if preferred.
Why does the dough need to be chilled?
Chilling the dough firms up the butter, which makes it easier to roll out and cut without sticking or tearing. It also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, keeping their shapes crisp and defined.
Can I decorate these cookies with icing?
Absolutely! These classic rolled sugar cookies provide a perfect blank canvas for icing, royal icing decorations, or even simple glaze. Just make sure the cookies are completely cooled before decorating to prevent melting or running.
How do I keep my cookies from spreading too thin?
Make sure the dough is properly chilled and your flour measurement is accurate. Also, avoid overcreaming the butter and sugar as too much air can cause excessive spreading. Chilling before baking helps keep their shape intact.
Final Thoughts
There is something so wonderfully comforting about baking a batch of these Classic Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe. They bring smiles, warm memories, and a delicious treat to any gathering or quiet moment at home. I encourage you to roll up your sleeves and try this recipe—you might just discover your new favorite cookie tradition.
Print
Classic Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic Rolled Sugar Cookies are a timeless treat with a delicate crumb and a sweet, buttery flavor. Perfect for decorating or enjoying as-is, these cookies feature a tender texture achieved by creaming butter with sugar, chilling the dough, and rolling it out before baking to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
For Rolling
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set this mixture aside; this ensures even distribution of the leavening agents in the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, beat the softened butter together with 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. This step incorporates air for a tender cookie.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) into the butter and sugar mixture until fully combined for added flavor and moisture.
- Combine Dough: Gradually incorporate the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can lead to tough cookies.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill them in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to roll and cut.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes as desired, ensuring clean edges for decorative purposes.
- Roll in Sugar: Dip the edges of each cut cookie into the ¼ cup of granulated sugar. This adds a subtle crunch and sparkle to the finished cookies.
- Bake: Arrange cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. Baking time may vary slightly depending on size and thickness.
- Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets briefly before transferring to a wire rack. Let them cool completely before decorating or serving.
Notes
- If you don’t have almond extract, simply omit it; the cookies will still have a lovely flavor from vanilla.
- Make sure not to overbake; the cookies should be just turning golden at the edges to remain soft inside.
- Chilling the dough is essential—it prevents spreading and makes shaping easier.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- These cookies can be decorated with royal icing, sprinkles, or left plain for a classic sugar cookie taste.
