The BEST Sugar Cookies! – Soft, Buttery & Perfect Every Time

Adam

The BEST Sugar Cookies! – Soft, Buttery & Perfect Every Time

These are truly The BEST Sugar Cookies! — soft, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth delicious and perfect for frosting or decorating. The dough holds its shape beautifully, bakes evenly, and delivers that classic, sweet vanilla-almond flavor we all adore. The secret lies in the rich combination of butter, cream, and almond extract, giving the cookies a luxurious texture and bakery-quality taste. Whether you’re baking them for Christmas, birthdays, or any celebration, these sugar cookies never fail to impress. Simple, elegant, and unbelievably tasty — they’re the kind of cookies people remember. 🍪💛

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Prep Time 15

bake & Cooling & icing time 40

Total Time 55

Servings: 28 cookies

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Fresh Products

1 Large egg

Dry & Flavoring Ingredients

3 cups All-purpose flour
2 tsp Baking powder aluminum-free
200 g 1 cup Granulated sugar
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1 Pinch of salt
1 tsp Almond extract pure
3 tsp Vanilla extract pure
4 cups Confectioners’ sugar for icing

Dairy

2 cups Unsalted butter softened
1/4 cup Heavy whipping cream

Equipment

You’ll need:
Mixing bowls (large and medium)
Hand or stand mixer
Measuring cups and spoons
Baking sheets
Parchment paper or silicone mat
Cooling rack
Rolling Pin
Cookie cutters (if decorating)
Whisk (for icing)

Method

step1:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

step2:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

step3:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and pale — about 3 minutes.

step4:

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat again until smooth and creamy.

step5:

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

step6:

If the dough is too soft to handle, chill for 15–20 minutes before rolling.

step7:

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters for desired shapes, or roll into balls for simple round cookies.

step8:

Place cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden.

step9:

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

step10:

For the icing: whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust consistency with a few drops of cream if needed. Spread or drizzle over cookies once cooled.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Freeze un-iced cookies for up to 2 months.

Warm in the microwave for 5–6 seconds for that fresh-baked feel.

🥄 Variations

Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add 1 tsp lemon zest for a bright twist.

Brown Sugar Version: Replace half of the granulated sugar with light brown sugar for a richer flavor.

Frosted Celebration Cookies: Add food coloring to the icing and top with sprinkles.

Cut-Out Edition: Roll dough and use festive cutters for holiday shapes.

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I skip almond extract?
Yes — use only vanilla if you prefer a pure vanilla flavor.

2. Do these cookies hold their shape?
Yes! They bake up clean and even — ideal for decorating.

3. Can I chill the dough overnight?
Absolutely. Wrap tightly and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

4. Can I use salted butter?
Yes, just skip the added salt in the recipe.

5. How do I keep them soft?
Do not overbake and store in an airtight container once cooled.

6. Can I use royal icing instead?
Yes — it’s perfect for detailed decorating.

7. Can I color the icing?
Of course! Gel food coloring gives the best vibrant tones.

8. Can I make them dairy-free?
Use plant-based butter and coconut cream instead of heavy cream.

9. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze tightly wrapped dough for up to 2 months.

10. Can I make smaller cookies?
Yes — bake for 7–8 minutes for mini versions.

🏁 Conclusion

These BEST Sugar Cookies truly live up to their name — soft, buttery, perfectly sweet, and beautifully golden. With just the right balance of vanilla and almond, they’re delicious on their own or topped with creamy icing.

Perfect for holidays, gifts, or anytime you want to bake something special, these cookies are guaranteed to impress family and friends every single time.