Sugar cookies are a timeless favorite that everyone loves. They are soft, chewy, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, holiday, or just want a sweet treat, these sugar cookies are sure to please. With a simple recipe and delicious cream cheese frosting, you’ll be making these cookies over and over again.
Why Make This Recipe
You should make this recipe because it’s easy, fun, and yields the best sugar cookies you’ll ever taste! The combination of butter and cream cheese gives these cookies a rich flavor and a soft texture. The frosting is simple to prepare, and you can even customize it with food coloring for a festive touch. Plus, these cookies are perfect for decorating, making them great for kids and family events.
How to Make The Best Sugar Cookies Ever!
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup Butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup Sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
- 2 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup Butter (softened)
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- Food Coloring (Optional)
Directions:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy for about one minute.
- Add the sugar and continue to beat until creamy for about 2 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract and continue to beat until well combined.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Slowly add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, beating until the dough comes together.
- Form the dough into a ball and chill it in the fridge for one hour or overnight for better flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough out to your desired thickness (1/4 inch thick is great) and cut with cookie cutters.
- Transfer the cut cookies to the baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-11 minutes or until just set. If you like your cookies softer, bake them for about 8 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool completely before frosting.
To Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until creamy.
- Finally, stir in the vanilla extract. If you want to add food coloring, do it now.
How to Serve The Best Sugar Cookies Ever!
Serve these cookies at room temperature. You can frost them with cream cheese frosting and add sprinkles or edible decorations for a fun touch. Enjoy them with a glass of milk or as a part of your dessert table at gatherings.
How to Store The Best Sugar Cookies Ever!
Store the sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, you can freeze the cookies without frosting for up to three months. Just be sure to use a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
Tips to Make The Best Sugar Cookies Ever!
- For softer cookies, avoid overbaking them. They should be just set and slightly underbaked.
- Use high-quality butter for the best flavor.
- Chill the dough long enough to make it easier to roll out and cut.
- Customize your frosting with different colors to match themes or occasions.
Variation
You can add different flavors to your sugar cookies by experimenting with extracts like lemon or coconut. You can also add chocolate chips or nuts to the dough for a variation in texture and flavor.
FAQs
- Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
- Yes, you can use salted butter, but you should skip the added salt in the recipe.
- How can I make my cookies more colorful?
- You can add food coloring to your frosting to create vibrant colors for decorating your cookies.
- Can I make this dough ahead of time?
- Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and chill it in the fridge for up to 5 days before baking.
Enjoy making The Best Sugar Cookies Ever! They are a delightful treat that will surely bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 3/4 cup Butter (softened) Use high-quality butter for best flavor.
- 3/4 cup Sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
- 2 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup Butter (softened)
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- Food Coloring (Optional) Customize your frosting with different colors.
Instructions
Making the Cookies
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy for about one minute.
- Add the sugar and continue to beat until creamy for about 2 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract and continue to beat until well combined.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Slowly add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, beating until the dough comes together.
- Form the dough into a ball and chill it in the fridge for one hour or overnight for better flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough out to your desired thickness (1/4 inch thick is great) and cut with cookie cutters.
- Transfer the cut cookies to the baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-11 minutes or until just set. If you like your cookies softer, bake them for about 8 minutes.
- Let the cookies cool completely before frosting.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until creamy.
- Finally, stir in the vanilla extract. If you want to add food coloring, do it now.
