Introduction

Soft sugar cookies are a timeless treat with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. These cookies are delicious on their own or dressed up with a smooth vanilla frosting and colorful sprinkles for a festive touch.

Seven round cookies with pale golden edges are arranged closely on a white plate. Each cookie is topped with a thick, smooth layer of light pink icing that covers the tops fully but does not drip down the sides. A generous handful of colorful sprinkles, including small round and rod shapes in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and star shapes, scatter over the icing on every cookie. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a colorful beaded bracelet in pastel colors nearby. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with multicolored sprinkles and another cookie partially visible on a metal cooling rack. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1½ cups butter (3 sticks)
1½ cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
5 teaspoons vanilla extract
4½ cups all-purpose flour
4½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
5 cups powdered sugar
⅓ cup melted butter (5⅓ tablespoons)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
7-8 tablespoons milk
Food coloring (optional)
Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy using a hand or stand mixer.
Step 2: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Then stir in 5 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Step 3: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
Step 5: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to make it easier to handle and enhance flavor.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper if desired to prevent sticking.
Step 7: Scoop scant ¼-cup portions of dough, roll each into a ball and flatten slightly. Space them 2-3 inches apart on the baking sheets.
Step 8: Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they are set and edges just begin to brown. Do not overbake to keep them soft.
Step 9: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 4-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10: To prepare the frosting, place powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Add melted butter, vanilla extract, and 7 tablespoons of milk. Stir until smooth and combined.
Step 11: If needed, add more milk 1 teaspoon at a time until the desired frosting consistency is reached.
Step 12: Optional: tint the frosting with food coloring. Frost the cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles as desired.

Tips & Variations

For softer cookies, avoid overbaking and remove them when edges just start to brown.
You can substitute almond or lemon extract instead of vanilla for a different flavor twist.
If you want to skip frosting, a simple dusting of powdered sugar also complements these cookies well.
Rolled dough can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage before baking.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If frosted, keep them refrigerated and let them come to room temperature before serving. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting or serving.

How to Serve

Seven round sugar cookies sit on a white plate, each topped with a thick, smooth layer of light pink frosting. On top of the frosting is a mix of colorful sprinkles in various shapes, including small rods, dots, and stars in bright colors like red, green, yellow, blue, and purple. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, with more sprinkles scattered around. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with sprinkles and a cooling rack holding more cookies with the same frosting and sprinkles. Nearby is a pastel-colored bead bracelet, adding a playful touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without chilling the dough?

Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and develop flavor, but you can bake immediately if short on time. Just expect the cookies to spread more and have a slightly different texture.

How do I get the frosting to the right consistency?

Start by mixing powdered sugar with melted butter, vanilla, and 7 tablespoons of milk. Add milk slowly, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the frosting is smooth but thick enough to spread without running off the cookies.