Name: Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), melted; 2 ounces cream cheese; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 eggs; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup white granulated sugar or holiday sprinkles

Jump to Recipe· 3.8 from 51 reviews

There is something truly irresistible about a warm, tender cookie fresh from the oven, and this Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe delivers exactly that with every bite. These cookies are thick, soft, and chewy, yet incredibly simple to make—no chilling or rolling required! Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or just craving a classic treat, this recipe offers an effortless way to enjoy a delightful, customizable sugar cookie that’s ready in just 20 minutes. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll soon become your go-to favorite!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows various baking ingredients on a white marbled surface arranged neatly in separate clear glass bowls and white dishes. From top left, there is a small white bowl holding two white eggs. To the right, a small clear bowl contains dark amber vanilla extract. In the center, a large glass bowl is filled with white flour. Below the flour, another large white bowl contains two sticks of pale yellow butter. Next to the butter, a large clear bowl is filled with white granulated sugar. Below these, three small clear bowls hold white salt, baking soda, and baking powder, arranged in a triangle. To the right, a metal measuring cup is filled with white sugar. The colors are soft and natural with the focus on the textures of the ingredients. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic behind this Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe lies in its straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating that perfect balance of soft texture, rich flavor, and subtle sweetness that defines these cookies.

Unsalted butter (1 cup, melted): Provides rich flavor and a tender crumb.
Granulated sugar (1 1/2 cups): Sweetens the dough and helps create a slight crispness on the cookie edges.
Cream cheese (2 ounces): Adds moisture for that soft, chewy texture and a subtle tang.
Pure vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the overall flavor with warm, inviting notes.
Eggs (2): Bind the dough together and add structure.
All-purpose flour (3 1/2 cups): The foundation that gives the cookies their shape and body.
Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Leavens gently, helping the cookies rise just right.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and boosts flavor.
Baking soda (1/4 teaspoon): Works alongside baking powder for a tender crumb.
White granulated sugar or holiday sprinkles (1/2 cup): For rolling the cookie dough balls, creating a delightful sugary crust or festive look.

How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet

First things first, heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the pan without sticking.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Sugar, and Cream Cheese

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the melted unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and cream cheese. Beat them together for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step builds the base for your Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe’s luscious texture.

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Eggs

Next, mix in the pure vanilla extract and incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This gradual blending helps keep the batter smooth and well combined without curdling.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Into the Batter

Slowly add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to your wet ingredients. Mixing slowly will prevent overworking the dough and keep your cookies tender and soft.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

Form 1-inch balls of dough and roll each one in the white granulated sugar or holiday sprinkles for an extra touch of sparkle and crunch. Place each dough ball onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Sprinkle a little extra sugar or sprinkles on top for a pretty finish, then bake for 8-9 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Remember, 8 minutes was perfect in my oven for soft, chewy cookies — don’t overbake!

Step 7: Cool Before Enjoying

Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling helps them set and keeps the centers soft yet firm enough to hold together.

How to Serve Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe

The image shows a stack of three soft, round sugar cookies with a pale golden color and slightly cracked tops. The top cookie has a bite taken out of it, revealing a soft, crumbly texture inside with a light yellow tint. The cookies are sitting on a white marbled surface, with some light sparkles of sugar visible on the top cookie’s surface. Behind the stack, there is a partial view of white plates stacked with more cookies on one side, and blurred light-colored objects in the background. The overall lighting is soft, highlighting the texture of the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

One of the joys of this Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe is how beautifully you can dress them up. Sprinkle with colored sugar crystals, cinnamon sugar, or festive holiday sprinkles for an extra pop of color and crunch that makes these cookies feel special and inviting.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies alongside a cold glass of milk, a steaming mug of hot cocoa, or even a cup of tea for a cozy treat. The creamy drinks complement the cookie’s sweet, buttery flavor perfectly, making snack time feel like a real event.

Creative Ways to Present

Whether you’re gifting or hosting, stack the cookies in a pretty jar tied with a ribbon, or arrange them on a festive platter with fresh fruit and nuts for a charming dessert board. You can even sandwich two soft sugar cookies with frosting or jam for a delightful twist that impresses every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness and chewiness. They stay fresh for up to a week — perfect for nibbling on throughout the week without losing that fresh-from-the-oven taste.

Freezing

You can freeze baked cookies for up to three months. Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transfer into freezer bags or containers. Thaw them at room temperature or warm slightly in the oven before serving.

Reheating

To revive any cooled cookies, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm briefly in a low oven. This brings back their soft texture and melty goodness, making them taste freshly baked again.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting your cookies. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the flavor balance.

Do I really need to melt the butter?

Melting the butter helps create a tender and chewy texture in these sugar cookies. It mixes more uniformly with the other ingredients and speeds up the baking process.

Can I add flavor variations?

Absolutely! This Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe is a fantastic base. Try adding citrus zest, almond extract, or replace sprinkles with crushed nuts or mini chocolate chips for delicious variations.

Why shouldn’t I chill the dough?

This cookie dough is designed to be easy and quick, skipping the chilling step to save time. Because it’s rolled into balls directly with the sugar coating, it bakes just right without spreading too thin.

How thick are these cookies?

These cookies are intentionally thick to deliver that satisfying soft and chewy bite. Using a generous 1-inch dough ball and spacing them properly keeps them from flattening too much in the oven.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for that perfect sugar cookie that’s easy to make, wonderfully soft, and endlessly adaptable, this Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe is a must-try. It feels like a warm hug in cookie form and truly shines in every season. Give it a go and watch these cookies become a cherished staple to share with your loved ones over and over again!