Perfectly Simple Sugar Cookies 🍪

No fancy ingredients, no fuss—just the best soft & chewy sugar cookies you’ll ever make!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Pantry staples only – No weird ingredients!
✅ Soft & chewy – Perfect texture every time.
✅ Holds its shape – Great for cutouts or drop cookies.
✅ Family-approved – A tried-and-true classic.

Ingredients

  • 4 sticks (2 cups) butter or margarine, softened (I use Imperial)

  • 3 cups granulated sugar

  • 4 large eggs

  • 2 tbsp vanilla extract (yes, tablespoons!)

  • 2 tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 7½ cups all-purpose flour (added gradually)

Instructions

1. Cream Butter & Sugar

  • In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 mins).

2. Add Wet Ingredients

  • Mix in eggs, vanilla, baking soda, and salt until fully combined.

3. Gradually Add Flour

  • Slowly mix in flour, 1-2 cups at a time, until dough comes together. Don’t overmix!

4. Chill (Optional but Recommended)

  • For firmer dough (better for rolling/cutting), chill 1-2 hours. For drop cookies, bake right away.

5. Bake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

  • Roll dough into 1½-inch balls (or roll out for cutouts).

  • Bake for 8-10 mins until just set (edges may look slightly underdone—they’ll firm up!).

6. Cool & Enjoy!

  • Let cool on pan 2 mins, then transfer to a rack.

Pro Tips

🔸 For softer cookies: Bake 8 mins max.
🔸 For crisp edges: Bake 10-12 mins.
🔸 Add sprinkles: Roll dough balls in colored sugar before baking.
🔸 Make ahead: Dough keeps 3 days in fridge or 3 months frozen.

Variations

Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add 2 tbsp lemon zest + 1 tbsp juice.
Chocolate Chip: Fold in 2 cups chocolate chips.
Holiday Cutouts: Roll ¼-inch thick, cut shapes, and decorate!

Storage

  • Room temp: Up to 1 week in airtight container.

  • Freeze baked cookies: Up to 3 months (thaw at room temp).

Final Thought

This is the no-nonsense, always-delicious sugar cookie recipe you’ll make forever. Perfect for any occasion—or no occasion at all!

More Easy Cookie Recipes:
🥜 Peanut Butter Blossoms
🍯 Snickerdoodles
🌿 Vanilla Bean Shortbread

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