Name: Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 225g / 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (or use salted, skip salt); 1 cup caster/superfine sugar (granulated/ordinary white sugar ok too); 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 large egg (55-60g / 1.9-2oz); 3 cups plain / all-purpose flour; 3/4 tsp baking powder; 3/4 tsp salt; Icing for Sugar Cookies (refer to separate recipe); Melted chocolate for dipping; Silver balls for decorating; Icing sugar for dusting

Jump to Recipe·5 from 79 reviews

If you’re craving a classic comfort treat that feels like a warm hug in cookie form, you’re going to adore this Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out — tender yet with a lovely crisp edge, just sweet enough, and infused with that unmistakable vanilla aroma that instantly makes your kitchen smell heavenly. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a party, or just because, this recipe will quickly become your go-to sugar cookie standby.

🤍

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Classic Flavor & Texture: These vanilla sugar cookies strike the perfect balance between tender and crisp every single time.
Simple Ingredients: No complicated or hard-to-find items here — just everyday pantry staples you probably already have.
Fun to Customize: From rolling thickness to decorating options, you can make these cookies your own in countless ways.
Perfect for Every Occasion: Whether it’s Christmas, birthdays, or an afternoon tea, these cookies fit the bill wonderfully.

The image shows a tray full of colorful Christmas cookies arranged randomly on a baking sheet placed on a white marbled surface. There are three main shapes: snowflakes, stars, and candy canes, along with green Christmas tree shapes. The snowflake cookies have a white base with red or green icing forming their intricate snowflake patterns. The star-shaped cookies are filled with either green or red icing, each with a zigzag of white icing on top. The candy cane cookies are white with red stripes, and the Christmas tree cookies are green with white or red icing shaped like garlands or decorations. The colors are bright and festive, creating a joyful holiday feeling. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Vanilla Sugar Cookies, classic sugar cookie recipe, easy vanilla cookies, soft sugar cookies with vanilla, homemade vanilla cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need

One reason this Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe is so reliable is the simplicity of its ingredients, which come together beautifully to create that iconic vanilla sweetness and tender crumb. Making sure you have good quality vanilla and fresh butter really pays off here — those two carry the flavor like champs.

Flat lay of a small pile of pale yellow unsalted butter cubes, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white granulated sugar, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl holding translucent golden vanilla extract, a neat mound of fine white all-purpose flour, a tiny white ceramic bowl with white baking powder powder, and a tiny white ceramic bowl containing fine white salt crystals, all ingredients arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Vanilla Sugar Cookies, classic sugar cookie recipe, easy vanilla cookies, soft sugar cookies with vanilla, homemade vanilla cookies

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is key for that creamy texture when you beat it with the sugar; I usually opt for unsalted so I can control the salt level precisely.
Sugar: Caster or superfine sugar works best for a smooth dough, but regular granulated sugar can substitute in a pinch.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract adds warmth and aroma; avoid artificial flavoring if you want the best results.
Egg: One large egg binds everything together and enriches the dough; make sure it’s at room temperature before mixing.
Flour: Plain or all-purpose flour provides structure; measure carefully to keep your cookies tender, not tough.
Baking Powder: Just a small amount gives a subtle lift for a softer bite.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the other flavors, especially important if you’re using unsalted butter.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe is. Over time, I’ve played around with different add-ins and decorations, and you should definitely feel free to get creative. Whether you want something a little healthier or more festive, there’s a tweak just waiting for you.

Citrus Zest: Adding a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the dough brightens the vanilla flavor and adds a fresh twist — my family really enjoyed this variation last Christmas!
Almond Extract Swap: Replacing half the vanilla with almond extract gives a lovely nutty nuance if you’re after something a little different.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the flour with a gluten-free baking blend, but make sure it includes xanthan gum for structure.
Decorated Frosting: I like to create vibrant iced versions using royal icing and sprinkles for holidays — kids (and adults!) go wild for this.

How to Make Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is creamy and smooth; this usually takes about a minute on medium speed if you’re using a mixer. This step is crucial because it creates tiny air pockets that help give your cookies a light texture. If you don’t have a mixer, you can do this by hand with a sturdy spoon — just be patient!

Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. This brings moisture and flavor to your dough, and you’ll notice it starts to come together nicely here. Make sure your egg is at room temperature — it blends in easier and helps prevent the dough from splitting.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Slowly add in the flour, baking powder, and salt, starting your mixer off slow so the flour doesn’t fly everywhere. The dough will look clumpy at first, but keep mixing until you see it come together. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle a touch more flour on your work surface when rolling out.

Step 4: Chill and Cut Your Dough

After scraping the dough onto a floured surface, pat it into two discs, then pop them into the fridge for at least 20 minutes. This step makes rolling much easier and helps keep your cookie shapes sharp during baking. When ready, roll the dough out to your desired thickness — I like about 1/8 inch for crisp cookies or 1/4 inch if you prefer softer ones. Dust your rolling pin and surface with flour to avoid sticking.

Step 5: Cut and Bake

Use your favorite cookie cutters to press out shapes, then carefully transfer them to lined baking sheets — I find a thin spatula works wonders here. Don’t forget to put any leftover scraps back in the fridge so they stay firm for the next batch. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for about 10 minutes, swapping the trays halfway through to ensure even baking. You want the edges to just start turning golden while the centers remain pale — this means they’ll be perfectly tender once cooled.

Step 6: Cool and Decorate

Let your cookies cool completely on the baking trays — trust me, they finish cooking on the hot sheet and removing them too soon can cause breakage. Once cooled, you can ice, dip in chocolate, dust with sugar, or simply enjoy them plain. I often stick to a simple dusting of icing sugar because the vanilla biscuits speak for themselves.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

Chill Dough Properly: I discovered chilling the dough halves before rolling prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
Swap Baking Sheets Mid-Bake: Switching trays halfway ensures your cookies crisp evenly, especially if your oven has hotspots.
Use Parchment Paper: Lining trays with parchment helps you avoid sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Don’t Overbake: Pull them out when edges just start to turn golden; they’ll firm up perfectly as they cool.

How to Serve Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For a simple, elegant touch, I love sprinkling a dusting of icing sugar or adding tiny silver dragées — they sparkle just like festive snow. When I’m feeling adventurous, royal icing with colorful sprinkles is my go-to; it’s a hit with kids and turns these cookies into little edible works of art.

Side Dishes

Vanilla sugar cookies pair beautifully with a cozy cup of hot cocoa, a chilled glass of milk, or even a fragrant cup of tea. For a brunch or dessert spread, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit or a bowl of whipped cream for dipping.

Creative Ways to Present

During the holidays, I arrange these cookies stacked in a festive tin or wrapped in clear cellophane tied with a pretty ribbon — they make wonderful homemade gifts. For parties, setting up a cookie decorating station where guests can ice and sprinkle their own cookies is always a crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature — they stay fresh and soft for about a week. After that, they might dry out a little, but I find they’re still delicious, especially if you dunk them in a warm drink.

Freezing

To extend their shelf life, I freeze plain baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature — they come back tasting nearly as fresh as day one.

Reheating

If you want that fresh-baked warmth, pop frozen or stored cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3-5 minutes. It refreshes them without drying them out. I do this all the time when I want a quick treat!

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter in this recipe?

Yes! If you use salted butter, just skip adding extra salt to the dough to avoid over-seasoning. The cookies will still taste wonderful, but controlling salt lets you tailor flavor exactly.
Why are my sugar cookies spreading too much during baking?

Too much spreading often happens if the dough isn’t chilled properly or if your oven is too hot. Make sure to chill the dough well before cutting and rolling, and try swapping baking sheets halfway through to ensure even heat distribution.
Can I decorate these cookies with royal icing?

Absolutely! This Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe is a perfect base for royal icing decorations. Just let the cookies cool completely before decorating to get clean, crisp designs.
How thick should I roll out the dough?

I recommend rolling dough to about 1/8 inch for thinner, crispier cookies or 1/4 inch if you prefer them thicker and softer. Either way, keep the dough evenly rolled for consistent baking results.
How long do these cookies keep after baking?

Stored in an airtight container, the cookies stay fresh and tasty for up to a week. After that, they might dry out a bit but remain enjoyable, especially paired with a warm beverage.

Final Thoughts

This Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe means a lot to me — it’s the one I always turn to when I want a timeless, dependable cookie that everyone will love. Baking these is a little ritual that fills my home with the smell of vanilla and reminds me of cozy afternoons with family. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do, and that they bring a little extra sweetness to your day. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll have a batch of vanilla sugar cookies you can be proud of!