Homemade Sugar Cookies

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My Homemade Sugar Cookies are a basic sugar cookie recipe that I’ve flavored with both vanilla and almond extract. These cookies are simple and easy to make, and fun to let the kids help with!

Homemade Sugar Cookies

I love a day in the kitchen baking with the kids, and this is one of my Easy Cookie recipes. There is no need to chill the dough, just mix everything together to form the cookie dough, then shape and bake in the oven, it could not be any easier.

These Best Sugar Cookies are flavored with both vanilla and almond extract, giving them a lovely depth of flavor that both adults and kids will enjoy.

I serve these just as they are, but feel free to decorate the cookies with some colorful sprinkles or a drizzle of glaze icing or melted chocolate.

This is a great baking activity with kids or grand-kids over the holiday period. As this recipe is quick to pull together and bake with children, who can have a short attention span.

If you want to get creative, you can play with the flavors and I’ve made some suggestions for that later in the post.

How to make Sugar Cookies from scratch:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or coat with baking spray).

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
• Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat until well combined.

• Add in flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

• Mix until just combined, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl every now and again.

• Roll dough into 1″ balls, and roll in sugar.

• Place on baking sheet, about 2″ apart.
• Bake for 10-11 minutes, or until cookies have set.

• Allow to cool.
• Feel free to frost them or cover them with a glaze, if desired.

Recipe ingredients:

• BUTTER: You can use either salted or unsalted butter to make the cookie dough.
• SUGAR: I used regular granulated sugar in the cookie dough and also for rolling the balls of cookie dough in before baking.
• EGGS: I add 1 egg at room temperature as they cream together better than eggs that have been chilled in the refrigerator.
• VANILLA: I use vanilla extract to flavor the cookie dough as it has depth of flavor. You could also use vanilla essence but it is not so intense.
• ALMOND: I also like to add almond extract, this is entirely optional but it does add an extra layer of flavor.
• FLOUR: I use all purpose flour in these cookies.
• RAISING AGENTS: I use both baking soda and baking powder in this dough to give the cookies a lift.
• SALT: A little salt is added to the dough, which balances out the other sweet flavors.

Flavor variations:

• I use both vanilla and almond extract in these cookies, But you could go all vanilla, or all almond. Or swap it for another flavor extract entirely, eg coconut, coffee, lemon or orange extract would all work in this cookie dough.
• Add a touch of spice to the cookie dough, ground cinnamon or ground ginger would work well.
• For a citrus twist add the finely grated zest of lemon or orange.
• To create a chocolate flavored sugar cookie, add some cocoa powder to the cookie dough along with the flour.
• Try adding some finely chopped dried fruits or nuts.

Serving suggestion:

I like to serve these sugar cookies, just as they are, warm from the oven. They are great with your favorite cup of tea or coffee, or a glass of ice cold milk.

If you want you can decorate the cookies with sprinkles, frosting, a drizzle of glaze icing or some melted chocolate.

Recipe hints & tips:

• Take the butter out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before you plan to start baking and allow it to soften at room temperature.
• Try and work quickly, so that you don’t need to chill the cookie dough.
• When cooking with kids, especially younger ones, don’t worry about achieving a “perfect” look, just enjoy making the memories together.
• You can use a teaspoon to scoop them out, but I prefer to use a small melon ball scooper or ice cream scooper to get them even (and it’s easier for the boys). We scoop them out, and place about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet – you don’t want them running together.
• Once baked, place the sugar cookies on a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
• Feeding a crowd, no problem, this recipe can be easily doubled or trebled.

FAQs

Do I need to chill the cookie dough?

What I love most about this recipe is how quick it is to make, there is no need to chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator. Instead make the dough, shape it and get it into the oven.

Do you decorate the cookies before or after baking?

Sugar cookies can be decorated, once they have been baked and allowed to cool completely. Don’t be tempted to decorate warm cookies or you risk the decoration running off the cookie.

How long can you store sugar cookies?

Once baked, allow to cool completely and place the sugar cookies in an airtight container. They can be stored on the counter top for up to 5 days.

Can you freeze sugar cookies?

As these cookies are so easy to make I like to make a double batch so I can freeze some for later. Once baked and cooled, place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to place a layer of baking parchment between each layer of cookie to stop them from stick together, as this allows me to take a couple out at a time.

Can I freeze cookie dough?

You sure can. Once the dough has been well combined, scoop it into balls and place the balls into an airtight container and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. No need to defrost the cookie dough either! Just place on a baking sheet and bake from frozen, you might just need to add a minute or two of cooking time.

Don’t miss these other delicious Cookie Recipes here at When Is Dinner:

• Snickerdoodles
• Lemon Sugar Cookie Pie
• Cake Mix Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

These are a few items I find helpful in my own kitchen, when preparing this These Homemade Sugar Cookies Recipe:

KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart, Empire RedOXO Good Grips Small Cookie ScoopGood Cook 13 Inch x 9 Inch Cookie SheetAmazonBasics Silicone Baking Mat – 2-PackMcCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract, 4 fl ozWilton Industries Perfect Results Mega Cooling Rack, Black