Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a simple yet delicious cookie that feels like a warm holiday hug, you’ve got to try this Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe. These classic sugar cookies have that perfect balance of buttery richness and gentle vanilla flavor that just melts in your mouth. I absolutely love how easy they come together and how versatile they are—whether you want to keep them plain, deck them out with icing, or dip them in chocolate, they never disappoint. Stick around and I’ll walk you through all the steps and tips to make these your new favorite treat.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients combine beautifully to create a dough that’s easy to roll, cut, and bake evenly every time. I always recommend using room temperature butter because it blends better with sugar and helps achieve that perfect creamy texture in your dough.

• Unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming, but if you have salted butter, just skip adding extra salt in the recipe.
• Caster sugar: I like using superfine sugar because it dissolves quicker and creates a tender crumb, but regular white sugar works just fine.
• Vanilla extract: This is the star for the “vanilla” in the Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe—pure vanilla extract is always best.
• Egg: Adds richness and helps bind everything together.
• All-purpose flour: The base of the dough for structure and soft bite.
• Baking powder: Just a touch to help the cookies rise slightly and stay soft.
• Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances the flavors.

Variations

I love how customizable the Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe is. Over the years, I’ve tweaked it a bit to match different occasions or dietary needs, and it always turns out fantastic. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!

• Gluten-Free Version: I’ve swapped all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend with great success—just make sure your mix contains xanthan gum for structure.
• Spiced Up: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg gives a warm twist that’s perfect for fall or winter holidays.
• Vegan Adaptation: Use vegan butter and a flax egg to make these cookies friendly for plant-based diets; they still come out tender and delicious.
• Thickness Variations: Rolling the dough thinner results in crispier cookies, which I prefer for snacking, whereas rolling thicker makes softer, more cake-like cookies.

How to Make Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating your softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is nice and creamy. I usually do about a minute on medium speed with my stand mixer. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, helping your cookies stay light and tender. Don’t rush it—if your butter’s too cold, it won’t cream properly, so make sure it’s soft to the touch.

Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Pop in the egg and vanilla extract, then beat again until everything is completely combined. The egg brings moisture and richness, while the vanilla gives the dough that signature flavor that makes these sugar cookies so comforting. If you can spare a moment here, scrape down your bowl to make sure all the butter and sugar have mixed evenly.

Step 3: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

Next, mix in your flour, baking powder, and salt. Start slowly so you don’t create a floury cloud—trust me, it happens more often than you think! At first, the dough will look crumbly and clumpy; this is totally normal. Once it starts to come together, stop mixing to avoid overworking the dough, which can make your cookies tough.

Step 4: Shape and Chill the Dough

Dump the dough onto a floured surface and pat it into two discs. Wrapping each disc in plastic wrap and chilling them for at least 30 minutes helps prevent spreading while baking and makes rolling out much easier. If you’re in a hurry, even 15 minutes in the fridge helps a lot.

Step 5: Roll Out and Cut Shapes

When your dough is chilled, lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll one disc out to about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) thickness if you like crispier cookies, or 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) for softer ones. Keep the dough lightly floured as you roll to prevent sticking. Then grab your favorite cookie cutters and press out shapes. Use a spatula or knife to transfer the cut cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Keep the leftover dough refrigerated while you work so it stays firm.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies at 350°F (180°C) for about 10 minutes. Here’s a trick I discovered: if you bake two trays at once, swap their positions halfway through to ensure even baking. You’re looking for the surface to be pale golden and edges just starting to turn light golden. Let them cool completely on the baking sheets—the cookies will finish setting as they cool, so resist the urge to move them too early.

How to Serve Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

Honestly, I love these cookies just as they are—simple and sweet. But to dress them up, I often go for a thin layer of royal icing for that classic festive look, or sometimes I dip half the cookie in melted dark chocolate for an elegant twist. Dusting with icing sugar or adding tiny silver ball sprinkles makes them shine for holidays or parties. You really can’t go wrong here, so try what feels fun!

Side Dishes

I’ve served these Vanilla Sugar Cookies alongside hot cocoa topped with whipped cream or a chai latte. They’re a perfect sweet pairing with warm, cozy drinks, especially during chilly evenings. A simple platter of fresh berries or citrus slices on the side also adds a bright contrast if you want to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged the cookies in festive tins with layers of parchment or packed them in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons—instant crowd-pleasers! Another fun idea is to create a cookie tree by stacking star-shaped cookies by size and securing with melted chocolate or royal icing, making a beautiful edible centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, I keep my Vanilla Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay soft and fresh for about a week. I’ve noticed if you leave them out uncovered, they can dry out pretty quickly, so a good seal is key. If you want to keep them longer, I recommend freezing.

Freezing

You can freeze both raw dough and baked cookies! I like to portion and wrap dough discs tightly in plastic wrap, then seal in a freezer bag—this makes rolling out later a breeze. For baked cookies, layering parchment paper between them in a freezer-safe container prevents sticking and preserves texture well.

Reheating

If you want to freshen up day-old cookies, warming them for just a few seconds in the microwave or popping them in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes does the trick. This gets that soft, just-baked feel back without drying them out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, especially during the holidays when everyone gathers around and the aroma fills the house. I hope you find joy in baking these as much as I do—they’re as forgiving as they are delicious, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Give this recipe a go, and I promise you’ll love how easily you can make classic, homemade cookies that taste like they came from your favorite bakery!

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