🍪 Soft Classic Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

• 1 egg

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2–3 tbsp milk (as needed for softness)

• Optional: extra sugar for rolling

🥣 Instructions

1. Mix dry ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together:

• flour

• baking soda

• baking powder

• salt

Set aside.

2. Cream butter & sugar

In a large bowl:

1. Beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).

2. Add egg and vanilla; mix well.

3. Combine

• Add dry ingredients gradually.

• If the dough seems too stiff, add 1–2 tbsp milk until soft but not sticky.

4. Chill (optional but recommended)

• Cover dough and chill 30 minutes for neater shaping and better texture.

5. Shape

For drop cookies:

• Scoop tablespoon-sized balls and roll in sugar.

For cut-out cookies:

• Roll chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼ inch thickness.

• Cut with cookie cutters.

6. Bake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

• Bake 8–10 minutes, until edges are set but not browned.

They will stay soft once cooled!

7. Cool & Enjoy

Let cool on the pan 2 minutes, then move to a rack.

⭐ Variations

• Frosted sugar cookies: Add buttercream or royal icing.

• Lemon sugar cookies: Add 1 tbsp zest + ½ tsp lemon extract.

• Almond sugar cookies: Replace part of vanilla with almond extract.

• Colored sugar cookies: Roll in colored sugar sprinkles before baking.

If you want, I can give you:

• Lofthouse-style soft sugar cookies

• Cut-out sugar cookies that never spread

• Brown sugar cookies

Which version next?