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Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies – the best thick, soft, and fluffy bakery style sugar cookies with a sweet frosting. You will never have to go to the store for cookies again!

There is one thing that my family loves and that is sugar cookies. Around the holidays we always make Frosted Sugar Cookies, but other times of the year we like thick and fluffy cookies that are like the ones you get at the bakery.

There are all kinds of cookie shops popping up all over, and this is like what you get at those. They have a little bit of almond extract in the dough and frosting, that makes them just a little different. Don’t worry, you can use all vanilla if that isn’t your thing.

a stack of bakery style sugar cookies on a plate

 

These are some of the easiest sugar cookies you will ever make. There is NO chilling of the dough, no rolling them out and cutting out shapes. Just roll into balls and bake.

You will want to use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to press down on the cookies, because they do not spread much as they bake. So you get thick and fluffy cookies!

frosted sugar cookie on a rack

What’s You Need

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Almond Extract
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Baking Powder

One thing to note, yes this does have almond extract. But depending on the brand you buy, almond extract doesn’t actually contain almonds. So if you have a nut allergy, check the package. Cook’s brand uses the pit of peaches and apricots, not almonds. Also if you just don’t like the flavor, leave it out and just use vanilla extract.

sugar cookie dough in a mixing bowl

How To Make Sugar Cookies

  1. Cream the butter and sugar together for about 2 minutes until it is nice and fluffy.
  2. Bean in the eggs and both extracts and mix until the eggs are fully incorporated. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  3. Then you just mix in the flour and baking powder until it forms a dough.
  4. Roll the balls of dough into about a golf ball size. Then gently press down slightly with the bottom of a glass or measuring cup.
  5. Bake for about 9 minutes until the edges are set and the tops are just dry. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a the baking sheet.
  6. Once they are cool you can remove them and they are ready for the frosting.
sugar cookie dough on baking sheet

For the Icing

You will need your standard frosting ingredients.

  • Powdered Sugar
  • Butter
  • Almond Extract
  • Milk

If you want to color the frosting then you will also need a little bit of food coloring. All you have to do is mix everything together until it is smooth and a spreadable consistency.

frosted sugar cookies on a cooling rack

Recipe Tips

  • I made these the size of an average cookie you would have at home. The ones you get at cookie shops are probably twice the size. If you want to make them large they work great, follow the same instructions and just add 1-2 minutes of baking time.
  • DO NOT OVER BAKE these cookies. That is the number one tip for getting the perfect bakery style cookie. You have to keep an eye on them. As soon as the tops appear dry they are done. They will continue to cook some as on the hot baking tray as they cool. So don’t worry, take them out of the oven.
  • If you don’t want to use almond extract, you can just use the vanilla called for in the recipe. Use equal amounts of vanilla extract in the frosting as well.
  • You can make these cookies ahead of time and frost when you are ready to serve.
stack of frosted sugar cookies on a plate
How To Store Cookies

Store cookies in an air tight container for up to 5 days. You can also put them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Do I Need To Chill The Dough

No, this dough does not require any refrigeration. Just roll the balls of dough and place on a baking sheet. Press the dough down gently, as it does not spread that much while it bakes.

Can I Freeze Sugar Cookies

Yes, absolutely! You can freeze the already baked cookies for up to 3 months. I like to put the frosting on fresh, so I don’t frost the ones I know I am going to freeze. The frosting does freeze fine, I just like the taste and texture of fresh the best.
You can also just freeze the dough. Roll balls of dough and place onto a baking sheet. Put in the freezer until the balls of dough are frozen and then transfer to a freezer safe plastic bag. Then when you are ready to bake cookies remove however many balls of dough you like and let them sit on the counter while you preheat the oven.

close up of sugar cookies for pinterset

More Easy Cookie Recipes

Yield: 30

Sugar Cookies

a stack of sugar cookies with a bite taken out of the top one

Sugar Cookies - the best thick, soft, and fluffy bakery style sugar cookies with a sweet frosting. You will never have to go to the store for cookies again!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

Cookies

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 whole large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Icing

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Food Coloring - optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
  2. In an electric stand mixer cream butter and sugar together for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in eggs vanilla and almond extract until well combined. Scrape down the sides as necessary.
  4. Add flour, baking powder and salt and mix until combined.
  5. Roll balls of dough about the size of a golf ball and arrange on a baking sheet. Using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, gently press down on the dough. The cookies will not spread a lot during baking.
  6. Bake for 9 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops appear dry.
  7. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking tray.
  8. Once cool remove and they are ready for the icing.
  9. For the icing mix together all of the ingredients until it is smooth and spreadable. Adjust the milk and sugar it necessary to make it thinner or thicker.
  10. Spread icing over cooled cookies.

Notes

These make smaller than the average bakery style cookie. If you want larger ones, use about 1/4 cup of dough, roll into balls and bake for 10-11 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Yield

30

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 331Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 37mgSodium 148mgCarbohydrates 60gFiber 0gSugar 50gProtein 2g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Did you make this recipe?

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Virginia

Saturday 13th of April 2024

These are always ways a hit!

Nancy

Monday 7th of August 2023

If I’m making shapes, can I still chill the dough and use this recipe?

Erin S

Tuesday 8th of August 2023

They aren't meant to use for cutting shapes, they will spread. If you want a soft and thick cut out sugar cookie dough, this has been the one I have used for more than 20 years, and my MIL has used it even longer. https://dinnersdishesanddesserts.com/frosted-sugar-cookies-12-days-of-giveaways/

Catalina

Friday 15th of April 2022

These are the best cookies! i've made them and everyone loved these sugar cookies!

Ashlee

Thursday 14th of April 2022

Can you use self rising flour instead of all purpose and baking soda?

Erin S

Thursday 14th of April 2022

I have not tried it before, so I can't be sure. The homemade self rising flour recipes are 3 cups for flour to 4 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 3/4 tsp of salt. So you would still need to add in some baking powder and skip the salt entirely.

Sandra

Thursday 14th of April 2022

My kids couldn't get enough of these cookies!! They taste really amazing!

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