Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe (with Video) - Bigger Bolder Baking (2024)

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My Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe is a holiday staple that can be baked into any festive shape you like!

By Gemma Stafford | | 557

Last updated on December 8, 2022

Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe (with Video) - Bigger Bolder Baking (1)

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When the holidays roll around, there are certain recipes you need in your back pocket. You know, those recipes you can whip up in a flash and that are fan favorites. My Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe is exactly that. Holiday Cookies are so much fun to bake because they are great for little hands to make and decorate, and you can even give them out as holiday gifts.

Whether you’re decorating cookies for Santa, or just to have with a cup of hot chocolate, these cookies are always my go-to.I break out my holiday cookie cutters and go to town making festive shapes. Then I store them away in an airtight container and I have them to hand when guests drop by.

How To Make My Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe

Holiday baking is the kind of baking that gets the whole family involved. So, it’s time to get the kids in the kitchen too, as it’s just a handful of simple ingredients combined in the food processor. After making the dough from my Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe, what you’re left with is a play-dough-like cookie dough perfect for rolling out and cutting into fun shapes.

I love classic holiday shapes, but you can use any you like! What makes these my Best Ever Sugar Cookies is that they are truly foolproof to make and decorate. The sugar cookie dough consistently comes out perfect every time and is always so easy to use, never too soft or too hard to work with like the store bought stuff can be.

[ If you want to decorate these cookies to the nines, you need my recipe for royal icing! ]

Do You Have To Make Sugar Cookies In The Food Processor?

If you don’t have a food processor, you can absolutely make these by hand in a large bowl. The reason I use a food processor is because it allows me to bring together the dough in minutes flat.

The most important part, whether you’re using a food processor or making the cookies by hand, is making sure that the butter is properly rubbed into the dry ingredients. By doing this and creating the texture of bread crumbs, you ensure the dough has lots of pockets of butter throughout — which makes for a rich and tender cookie.

Can You Substitute the Sugar for Another Sweetener?

If you would like to make my Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe sans the sugar, then you are in luck. The sugar in this recipe can be swapped 1:1 for either Swerve sugar alternative or Lakanto granulated sugar. You can also use a 50/50 sugar and Stevia blend. I really like the results I get with regular granulated sugar, but these alternatives to yield a very similar texture and flavor, which is great for those who are wanting to bake with less sugar.

How To Decorate Sugar Cookies

After cutting the cookies into adorable shapes and baking them, you do not have to decorate them. However, if you want to add to the cookies, I suggest accenting the shape of the cookies with my royal icing. In addition to the royal icing you can add sprinkles and little metallic nonpareils. These cookies are the perfect base to make 3 Easy Christmas Cookies to Bake and Decorate With Kids!

Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe (with Video) - Bigger Bolder Baking (2)

Do You Prefer Chewy Or Soft Over Crunchy?

My Best Ever Sugar Cookies recipe results in cookies with a slight crunch! If you’d rather have more of a chew, I have you covered: try my Perfect Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe. If you rather your sugar cookies soft, give my Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe a go!

Also, have you seen my Holiday Baking Headquarters page? You’ll find every recipe you could possibly need for the holidays including Christmas Cookies, edible gifts, and my best holiday baking tips!

If you like these sugar cookies you’ll love these recipes!

  • The Easiest Soft Sugar Cookies
  • 3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies
  • Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
  • Snowball Cookies
  • Homemade Gingerbread Men

Follow Bigger Bolder Baking on Pinterestfor more recipes and ideas!

Try These Recipes!

Almond Flour Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
How to Make Almond Crisps

Watch The Recipe Video!

Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe

4.70 from 335 votes

Print Recipe

My Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe is a holiday staple that can be baked into any festive shape you like!

Author: Gemma Stafford

Servings: 30 -40 cookies

  • Dessert
  • Vanilla
  • Holiday Baking Headquarters
  • Baking Pans
  • Oven
  • Food Processor

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 38 minutes mins

My Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe is a holiday staple that can be baked into any festive shape you like!

Author: Gemma Stafford

Servings: 30 -40 cookies

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cups (6oz/170g) butter, cubes and cold
  • 1 cups (8oz/225g) sugar
  • 2 eggs*
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups (12oz/340g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • In a food processor add in the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Stir a little with a spatula

  • Add in the cold butter and blitz for seconds JUST until the mix looks like big bread crumbs

  • Whisk together the eggs and vanilla extract. Pour into the food processor and pulse for a few seconds until the dough comes together. Take care not to over mix. If your mix seems dry you can add a tiny bit more egg or milk. (This dough can also be made by hand by rubbing in the butter into the flour)

  • Chill the dough for a minimum of 2-3 hours. Preferably chill overnight. Also it can be frozen at this stage for up to 8 weeks.

  • Once chilled, roll out some of the dough on a well floured surface to about 1/4-1/8 inch thick.

  • Cut out your desired shapes and transfer them to a baking tray lined with parchment. (this is a soft dough so work fast).

  • Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 18-20 minutes or until a light golden brown. Set aside to cool.

  • Decorate withroyal icing if you wish and store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

Recipe Notes

*Eggs: To replace eggs in this recipe the best substitute would be condensed milk. Reference my Egg Substitute Chart for the amounts.

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Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe (with Video) - Bigger Bolder Baking (9)

Angelique

4 years ago

Hi Gemma, can I use cake flour instead of all purpose flour ?

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Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe (with Video) - Bigger Bolder Baking (10)

Heidy Heidy

4 years ago

Hi Gemma,
I made this recipe, this cookies taste really delicious… but it was a bit hard to work with. Its really sticky even after came out of fridge. So i can’t shape it well. Should i skip the eggs ? Thanks

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Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe (with Video) - Bigger Bolder Baking (11)

Rebekah Murphy

4 years ago

Gemma, first off I want to say how much I appreciate you! You have absolutely made my baking abilities go to the next level! I’m so thankful for you! Also, congratulations on your pregnancy! You will be an amazing mother! I do have a question in regards to the dough. I’ve used two different recipes now for these cookies, one being yours, and another being a recipe that called for melted better instead of cold. The melted butter recipe made the dough much harder to work with, but I had better luck with your recipe. However, my dough was stillRead more »

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Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe (with Video) - Bigger Bolder Baking (12)

Eliane

4 years ago

Truly Best ever sugar cookies recipe Gemma, thank you so much for sharing it

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Gemma Rose

3 years ago

Hello! My name is Gemma, also! Which I’ve talked to you before… Anyway, I made this recipe for my family this Christmas and it was delish!! I couldn’t have chosen a better recipe:-)

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Vinutha Rao

5 years ago

Thank you Gemma!!

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AliciaA

3 years ago

This was an easy and delicious recipe!

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Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe (with Video) - Bigger Bolder Baking (16)

Anica

3 years ago

It may not be Christmas, but this recipe sure makes great valentines hearts ♥️ I used few to decorate my red velvet cake and most were given away in a decorate yourself box for second graders at school as goodie bags! Best decision ever! At least 4 moms asked for the recipe! I made glace icing too! Thank Gemma!

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Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe (with Video) - Bigger Bolder Baking (17)

Kanai Yee Chea

3 years ago

Hi Gemma!
Happy 2021!! I’m looking forward to trying many of your recipes this year!

I wonder have you announce the winner of December Bold Baker challenge? Or I have just missed the announcement?!?!

I have baked this cookies so many times and shared it with many friends. They all liked it very much! Thanks for the recipes!!

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Roxanne Cortese

3 years ago

At 73 years old I have to say easiest to make and roll out and delicious and holds icing perfect. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas from Puerto Rico

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About Us

Meet Gemma

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About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

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Best Ever Sugar Cookie Recipe (with Video) - Bigger Bolder Baking (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to sugar cookies? ›

From the dough to the baking to the icing, our guide will leave you with the perfect sugar cookie this holiday season.
  1. Opt for Room Temperature Eggs. ...
  2. Splurge on "Pure" Vanilla Extract. ...
  3. Whisk the Flour. ...
  4. Chill the Dough. ...
  5. Refrain from Overmixing. ...
  6. Go Easy on the Flour. ...
  7. Bake on Parchment Paper.
Dec 16, 2014

What is the most successful cookie? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What makes a cookie thicker? ›

A low proportion of sugar relative to flour reduces spread, keeping the cookies thick. A high proportion of mix-ins helps thicken the dough. Blending chocolate chip styles creates a more dynamic flavor. Overnight refrigeration hydrates the flour, again helping the cookies stay thick.

What makes cookies more fluffy? ›

Room temperature butter is just the right consistency to incorporate air when it's creamed with sugar. These trapped air pockets result in risen, fluffy cookies. If the butter is any warmer, it won't incorporate enough air and your cookies will have less rise.

How long to chill sugar cookie dough before baking? ›

As a general rule of thumb, you should refrigerate cookie dough for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. More than that, and you won't see a noticeable difference in the final product. Once the dough has chilled, let it warm up at room temperature until it's just pliable (about 5 to 10 minutes).

What is the best thickness for sugar cookies? ›

Place each portion onto a piece of lightly floured parchment paper or a lightly floured silicone baking mat. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use more flour if the dough seems too sticky. The rolled-out dough can be any shape, as long as it is evenly 1/4-inch thick.

What is America's favorite cookie? ›

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Timeless Classic. It's no surprise that chocolate chip cookies consistently rank as one of the most beloved treats in the United States.

Who is the rarest cookie? ›

Hollyberry Cookie, an Ancient Cookie of Defense class, is one of the hardest to find cookies in the game. Her position is prioritized to the Front by default.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

What is the best flour for cookies? ›

All-Purpose Flour: The Versatile Choice

This balanced protein level makes it versatile enough to produce both soft and chewy cookies as well as slightly crisp ones. If you're looking for a safe bet or are new to cookie baking, all-purpose flour is your go-to option.

What does refrigerating cookie dough do? ›

Chilling cookie dough before baking solidifies the fat in the cookies. As the cookies bake, the fat in the chilled cookie dough takes longer to melt than room-temperature fat. And the longer the fat remains solid, the less cookies spread. In addition, the sugar in the dough gradually absorbs liquid.

What does egg do to cookies? ›

Eggs promote puffiness and spreading in cookies, while also holding the cookie together during baking. The height and texture of the final product is determined by how much egg is incorporated into the batter. Substituting ingredients can make or break a recipe.

How do you make cookies thicker and not flat? ›

Chill the cookie dough.

Chilling cookie dough helps prevent spreading. The colder the dough, the less the cookies will over-spread into greasy puddles. You'll have thicker, sturdier, and more solid cookies. Whenever I make cookies, I plan ahead and chill the cookie dough overnight.

Why are my sugar cookies hard? ›

While overcooked sugar cookies are certainly still palatable, they'll be hard and crunchy, instead of soft and chewy.

What helps sugar cookies keep their shape? ›

Chill your dough before rolling out, as this will help prevent warping of the shape when transferring to your baking sheet. Once on the sheet, freeze for 10 mins before baking. Bake your cookies at at least 190C.

How do you get sugar to stay on sugar cookies? ›

Decorate After Baking

In order to add colored sugar to baked cookies, the sugar needs something to adhere to. Icing is the perfect choice. Bake and cool the cookies as directed by the recipe. Ice the very cool cookies with your favorite icing and top with your choice of colored sugar.

How do I get better at decorating sugar cookies? ›

Colored layers & embedded designs
  1. Start with a completely dry flooded cookie. This may take several hours or overnight.
  2. Using a second, colored icing, add details and designs by outlining and flooding certain areas, or simply by piping. Use wet icing to adhere decorations such as sugar pearls.

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