A close-up shot of homemade sugar cookies with a cracked surface, showcasing their texture.

Soft, buttery cut-out cookies perfect for decorating

Classic Sugar Cookies

Name: Classic Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 36 cookies
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 large egg; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1hEasy

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

10 min

Total Time

1 hr

Servings

36 cookies

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

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Classic Sugar Cookies

Soft, buttery cut-out cookies perfect for decorating

Soft, buttery sugar cookies that hold their shape beautifully when baked. Perfect for rolling, cutting, and decorating with royal icing.

20m

Prep Time

10m

Cook Time

60m

Total Time

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Dessert Vegetarian

Sarah Chen

June 17, 2022(Updated April 12, 2026)

Sugar cookies are the canvas of the cookie world — beautifully shaped, endlessly decoratable, and delicious in their simplest form. This recipe produces cookies that are soft in the center with just a hint of crispness at the edges, and they hold their shape perfectly during baking so your stars look like stars and your hearts look like hearts.

The dough is easy to work with, rolls out smoothly, and does not require chilling for hours (though a brief 30-minute chill helps). Cream cheese is the secret weapon — it keeps the cookies incredibly soft while adding a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.

Whether you decorate them with royal icing for holidays or eat them plain dusted with sugar, these are the sugar cookies everyone wants the recipe for.

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

OvenBake

Test Kitchen Pick

Sheet Pan

Helpful Tool

Why a good sheet pan helps here

The pan is doing more work here than it looks like. A sturdy, evenly heating sheet pan gives you better browning and fewer hot spots.

This recipe benefits from more even oven contact and easier cleanup.

Promotes more even browning
Useful across weeknight roasts and baking

A heavy rimmed sheet pan is one of the highest-use tools in almost any kitchen.

Shop sheet pan options for this recipe

Instructions

1
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
2
Beat butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3
Beat in egg, vanilla, and almond extract until combined.
4
Add flour mixture gradually, mixing on low until just incorporated.
5
Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into shapes and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
7
Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are just barely set but not browned.
8
Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Decorate with royal icing once completely cool.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving

Substitutions

Cream cheeseOmit and add 2 extra tablespoons butter

Cookies will spread slightly more but still taste great

Almond extractOmit entirely

Fine to leave out if you prefer pure vanilla flavor or have nut allergies

Powdered sugarGranulated sugar

Cookies will have a slightly different texture, more crisp than tender

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Vanilla Extract

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the vanilla matters

For baking and desserts, vanilla is often carrying more aroma than people expect. A better bottle gives the whole recipe a cleaner finish.

This is a small pantry move that usually makes baked goods taste more complete.

Improves aroma in desserts and bakes
Useful across cakes, cookies, and breakfast bakes

Vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry upgrades to keep using.

Shop vanilla extract for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Do not overbake — cookies should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven.
Chill cut-out cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking for the sharpest edges.
Re-roll scraps only once to avoid tough cookies.
For a simple finish, sprinkle with sanding sugar before baking.

Storage

Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Decorated cookies with royal icing keep for 2 weeks.

Reheating

Not necessary. Best enjoyed at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 cookie) · 36 servings

Calories90

LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein1g

Carbohydrates11g

Fat5g

Fiber0g

Sugar5g

Sodium40mg

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my cookies spread?: The dough may not have been chilled enough, or the butter was too soft. Ensure a 30-minute chill minimum.
Can I freeze cookie dough?: Yes. Freeze cut-out shapes on a sheet, then store in bags for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes.
What is the best royal icing recipe?: Whisk 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons meringue powder, and 3-4 tablespoons water until thick and smooth.

Explore More

More Dessert Vegetarian Recipes Oven Recipes

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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Instructions

1
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
2
Beat butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3
Beat in egg, vanilla, and almond extract until combined.
4
Add flour mixture gradually, mixing on low until just incorporated.
5
Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into shapes and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
7
Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are just barely set but not browned.
8
Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Decorate with royal icing once completely cool.

Substitutions

Cream cheeseOmit and add 2 extra tablespoons butter

Cookies will spread slightly more but still taste great

Almond extractOmit entirely

Fine to leave out if you prefer pure vanilla flavor or have nut allergies

Powdered sugarGranulated sugar

Cookies will have a slightly different texture, more crisp than tender

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Do not overbake — cookies should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven.
Chill cut-out cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking for the sharpest edges.
Re-roll scraps only once to avoid tough cookies.
For a simple finish, sprinkle with sanding sugar before baking.

Storage

Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Decorated cookies with royal icing keep for 2 weeks.

Reheating

Not necessary. Best enjoyed at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my cookies spread?

The dough may not have been chilled enough, or the butter was too soft. Ensure a 30-minute chill minimum.

Can I freeze cookie dough?

Yes. Freeze cut-out shapes on a sheet, then store in bags for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes.

What is the best royal icing recipe?

Whisk 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons meringue powder, and 3-4 tablespoons water until thick and smooth.

Classic Sugar Cookies

Classic Sugar Cookies

Classic Sugar Cookies