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Judy John

Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

These easy sugar cookies bake with buttery flavor, soft centers, and lightly crisp edges. They work perfectly for parties, lunchboxes, holiday trays, or random weekday cravings.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 18 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 190
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Hand Mixer
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Rolling Pin
  • Cookie Cutter
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Cooling Rack
  • Freezer
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together until evenly combined.
  3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy and pale with a creamy texture.
  4. Add egg, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix until smooth and glossy.
  5. Slowly combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
  6. Chill the dough for ten minutes if it feels sticky during handling.
  7. Roll dough evenly and cut shapes using cookie cutters or a glass rim.
  8. Arrange cookies on the baking sheet, leaving space for slight spreading.
  9. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges look lightly golden and centers stay soft.
  10. Cool cookies on the tray briefly before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Notes

For softer cookies, remove them when centers still look slightly underbaked. For crispier texture, bake two additional minutes. Freeze unbaked dough rounds for quick desserts later. Chill dough anytime handling becomes messy. Add lemon zest, cinnamon, or almond extract for flavor variety. Store cookies airtight for up to five days.