Description
These Classic Sugar Cookies are buttery, soft, and perfectly sweet. Made with simple pantry staples and a rich vanilla buttercream, they’re ideal for holidays, celebrations, or everyday indulgence. Each cookie bakes to golden perfection with a tender crumb and nostalgic flavor that never goes out of style.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 9 ounces (2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting)
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 3¾ cups powdered sugar
- 1½ tablespoons whole milk
- 1 cup sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together butter and sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add egg, milk, and vanilla extract; mix until combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together salt, baking powder, and flour. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture on low speed until fully incorporated.
- Using a 1½-tablespoon scoop, portion dough onto the baking sheet, spacing evenly.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges turn golden. Cool cookies on the sheet for 3–5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
- To make frosting: Beat butter until fluffy, add vanilla, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar. Add milk until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble cookies into pairs. Spread or pipe frosting on one cookie, then sandwich with another. Roll edges in sprinkles if desired.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Chill dough if too soft before baking for better shape retention.
- Do not overbake—remove when edges are just golden for soft centers.
- Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Cookies freeze well for up to 3 months; frost after thawing for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Classic Sugar Cookies, sugar cookie recipe, vanilla buttercream cookies, homemade cookies, easy sugar cookies