Name: The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: PT-489287H58M1S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups white sugar; 1 ½ cups butter, softened; 4 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 5 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; Confectioners’ sugar; Milk

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 6 reviews

I have to say, this is truly the recipe I turn to when I want comfort in cookie form. I call it The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe because every bite delivers that perfect balance of buttery sweetness and tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. I love how simple ingredients transform into something so delightful and nostalgic. Plus, the way these cookies hold their shape makes decorating them an absolute joy, whether you’re gearing up for the holidays or just craving a sweet treat to brighten your day.

Why You’ll Love This The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe

What really hooks me about this recipe is the flavor profile — smooth, buttery, and sweet but never overpowering. The blend of vanilla and just the right touch of salt makes the cookies taste homemade in the best way possible. You can eat them plain or topped with your favorite icing, and they never disappoint. The texture strikes that lovely balance of crisp edges and a soft center every single time, which I find so comforting and satisfying.

Another thing that makes this recipe stand out is how easy it is to prepare. I love that the dough is straightforward to make and big enough to share — you end up with about 60 cookies! It’s perfect for parties, family gatherings, or even an afternoon of baking fun with the kids. The chilling step thaws out any stress because it helps the dough hold its shape for rolling and cutting, so your cookies look just like the pictures you see in cookbooks or Pinterest boards.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl sits in the center filled with smooth, pale yellow dough that has a soft texture and slight indentations on top. Around it are small clear bowls containing light pink salt, white powder, and dark amber vanilla extract, plus a brown egg on the white marbled surface. There are also two white bowls, one filled with white flour and the other with bright, colorful candy sprinkles in shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The scene is bright and clean. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Let me tell you, the magic of this recipe comes from simple, classic ingredients that are easy to find but powerful in flavor and texture. Each one plays an important role in making these cookies taste incredible — from the rich butter that adds creaminess to the flour that gives the perfect chew.

Pro Tip ✨

Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.

White sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create that tender crumb I love.
Butter, softened: The key to rich flavor and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Large eggs: Add moisture, structure, and richness to the dough.
Vanilla extract: For that warm, comforting aroma and subtle depth of flavor.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookies, offering the perfect balance of chew and sturdiness.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a light texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors beautifully.

Directions

Step 1: Start by gathering all of your ingredients so nothing slows you down mid-way. Having everything ready sets you up for a smooth baking experience.

Step 2: In a large bowl, beat together the white sugar and softened butter with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. This step is key to ensuring your cookies have that signature tender texture.

Step 3: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Make sure they are fully incorporated before moving on — this will help with even texture and flavor throughout.

Step 4: Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt until the dough comes together. Don’t overmix here; just combine until no flour streaks remain.

Step 5: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or even overnight if you can. Chilling is crucial because it helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll and cut without sticking.

Step 6: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Lightly dust your work surface with flour to prevent sticking, then roll out the dough to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness.

Step 7: Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut shapes from the dough. Place the cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets to make sure they bake evenly without sticking together.

Step 8: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes, until they just begin to turn a light golden brown on the edges. Keep a close eye so they don’t overbake — you want them soft and tender.

Step 9: Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating. I like to wait because decorating warm cookies can make icing runny.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields about 60 cookies, making it perfect for large gatherings or for sharing generously with neighbors and friends. Prep time takes roughly 20 minutes, and baking only about 10 minutes per batch. Don’t forget to factor in at least 1 hour of chilling time, bringing your total to around 1 hour and 30 minutes. This means you can prep in the morning and have fresh cookies ready by afternoon, or chill overnight and bake whenever you want.

How to Serve This The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe

A stack of five round, light yellow cookies sits in the center on a white marbled surface, with the top cookie covered in smooth white icing and colorful sprinkles in red, green, blue, yellow, purple, orange, and white scattered over it. To the left, there is a white bowl filled with bright, multicolored sprinkles, and behind the stack, a silver cooling rack holds more plain cookies without icing. Some extra sprinkles are scattered around the stack on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

When it comes to serving these cookies, I love to keep it simple yet charming. They’re delightful on their own with a glass of cold milk, but adding a light brush of homemade icing makes them feel festive and extra special. For a casual get-together, I often arrange them on a pretty platter with a dusting of powdered sugar to highlight their shapes.

If you’re aiming to impress at a holiday party or celebration, consider pairing your cookies with a cup of Earl Grey tea or a latte — the warm spiced notes complement the vanilla and buttery flavors perfectly. For a fun twist, I sometimes offer cookie decorating as an activity during family gatherings; it’s such a joyful way to make memories while enjoying The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe.

I always recommend serving these cookies at room temperature so that their delicate texture and rich flavor really shine through. Portion-wise, one or two cookies per person is usually just right, although it’s hard not to eat more! Just keep some extras nearby for second helpings.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this recipe is its versatility. If you want to switch things up, try using gluten-free flour blends to make it suitable for gluten sensitivities — just be mindful of adjusting moisture if needed. For a vegan version, you can replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and use flax eggs; I’ve found this works well though the texture is slightly different.

Flavor-wise, adding a teaspoon of almond extract in place of vanilla creates a lovely nutty aroma and taste. You can also mix in finely grated lemon or orange zest for a refreshing citrus twist. For a playful approach, decorate cookies with colored sugar or edible glitter before baking to add sparkle.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with cooking methods, either. Although these are best baked traditionally, some friends have had success baking them at a slightly lower temperature for a longer period, which produces extra soft cookies perfect for sandwiching with jam or frosting.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh and chewy. Layering them between sheets of wax paper helps prevent sticking if you stack them. They stay delicious for up to a week, though I rarely find they last that long in my house!

Freezing

This dough freezes wonderfully if you want to bake fresh cookies later. Just wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and cutting. You can also freeze fully baked cookies between layers of parchment paper, tightly sealed in a freezer bag, for up to 2 months.

Reheating

To refresh cookies that have softened or cooled, I warm them slightly in a preheated 300-degree oven for 3 to 5 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked feel without drying them out. Microwaving isn’t my favorite method because it tends to make the cookies chewy or rubbery fast, so I’d avoid that if you want to keep them tasting their best.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but I recommend reducing or omitting the added salt in the recipe to avoid the cookies tasting too salty. Using unsalted butter gives you more control over the final flavor, but salted works fine if that’s what you have on hand.

How thick should I roll the dough for the best results?

I find rolling the dough between 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick is ideal. Thinner dough results in crisper, more delicate cookies, while thicker dough will yield softer, more tender cookies. Decide based on your texture preference, but don’t roll too thin or the cookies might burn quickly.

Can I make these cookies without chilling the dough?

While you technically can skip the chilling, I strongly recommend not doing so. Chilling firms up the dough, making it much easier to roll and cut clean shapes, and it also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It really makes the final result more precise and delicious.

What is the best icing to use with The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe?

I like a simple icing made from confectioners’ sugar mixed with a little milk to a paintable consistency. This type of icing is thin enough to brush on with a pastry brush without running off but thick enough to dry nicely. You can also add food coloring for fun variations if you want to decorate.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to two days in advance and keep it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. This actually improves the flavor and texture, since resting the dough allows the ingredients to meld. Just bring it to room temperature briefly before rolling.

Conclusion

I genuinely hope you give The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe a try because it has become a favorite staple in my kitchen for good reason. It’s easy, dependable, and delicious every time — the kind of recipe that spreads joy with every bite. Whether you’re baking for yourself, for family, or for a festive occasion, these cookies always bring smiles. Happy baking!