• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pinch and Swirl
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Recipes » Desserts » Cookies and Brownies

    Soft Sugar Cookies

    Published: Dec 3, 2018 · Modified: Dec 10, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 8 Comments

    Vegetarian

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    soft sugar cookies arranged on parchment paper

    Every year I like to try a couple of new cookie recipes at Christmas, but these Soft Sugar Cookies are a given. This recipe came from a school fundraising book that my mom bought in the late 80s - the spiral bound sort that are a compilation of parent's and grandparent's recipes. Nicole G. is the author's name, printed next to this recipe on a little scrap that I cut from the page - the only scrap left of the book. What Nicole doesn't know is that she started a tradition.

    Soft Sugar Cookies on parchment paper

    I doubt a year has gone by since that I haven't made them.

    These Soft Sugar Cookies stay impossibly, melt-in-your-mouth soft. They're just slightly sweet, the perfect vehicle for buttery sweet Sugar Cookie Icing or creamy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. This recipe makes 24 cookies, but you can easily double it - the perfect treat to box up and deliver to your neighbors.

    Soft Sugar Cookies on a cooling rack

    You'll find the Soft Sugar Cookie dough is soft, supple and luxurious to work with. I've always assumed this is partly due to the sour cream in the dough? It's also delicate, so try to work quickly as you roll out the dough then cut and transfer it to the baking sheets to prevent the dough from getting too warm. And if you're cooking smaller batches be sure to keep any uncooked dough or cutouts refrigerated. And remember that it's key to remove the cookies from the oven when they've puffed, but still look slightly underdone. This is the key to the sugar cookies staying soft.

    If you love to make an assortment of cookies for the holidays, don't miss these World Peace Cookies, Butter Cookies, Gingersnap Cookies and Italian Wedding Cookies! And if you're looking for a gluten free option, these Almond Flour Sugar Cookies are amazing.

    How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies

    Step 1: Whisk dry ingredients together. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla and sour cream, mixing between each just until combined. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined.

    Combining Ingredients for Soft Sugar Cookie Dough

    Step 2: Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours up to overnight.

    wrapping soft sugar cookie dough to chill

    Step 3: Preheat oven to 350˚F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut into desired shapes with cookie or biscuit cutters. Transfer to prepared baking sheets.

    rolling soft sugar cookie dough
    cutting out soft sugar cookie dough
    soft sugar cookies ready to bake

    Step 4: Bake 8-10 minutes and remove while cookies still look slightly undercooked. Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.

    soft sugar cookies baking
    soft sugar cookies plain

    Step 5: Top cooled cookies with Sugar Cookie Icing and decorative sugar (optional) or Vanilla Buttercream Frosting and enjoy!

    pouring icing onto soft sugar cookies

    Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe Video

    SUBSCRIBE TO VIDEOS

    Soft Sugar Cookies on parchment paper

    Soft Sugar Cookies

    Marissa Stevens
    Impossibly soft and delicious sugar cookies! This recipe makes about 25 3" rounds - double it so you have plenty to share! 
    5 from 3 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 cookies
    Calories 199 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Cookies:

    • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 300g
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup butter 1 cube, ideally 85% fat European style butter
    • 1 egg
    • ½ teaspoon real vanilla extract
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • 1 recipe Sugar Cookie Icing

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
    • With a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in egg and vanilla. Add sour cream and mix just until combined. Add dry ingredients to bowl and mix to combine.
    • Transfer dough to a large piece of plastic wrap on a work surface and wrap to cover dough completely, shaping into a disc. Chill dough at least 2 hours or overnight.

    When you're ready to bake:

    • Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
    • Lightly grease 2 large baking sheets or line with parchment paper. (see recipe note #1)
    • Divide dough in half. Place one half back in the refrigerator; transfer other half to lightly floured work surface. Roll dough ¼" thick (no thinner!) - cut with desired cookie cutters and transfer to prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 1" between cookies as they'll puff and spread.
    • Bake 8 to 10 minutes until set, but look slightly underdone (this is key to the cookies staying soft). Remove from oven and carefully transfer to a cooling rack. Repeat rolling, cutting and baking process with remaining refrigerated dough.
    • When cookies are cooled completely, drizzle with Sugar Cookie Icing and dust with decorative sugar (optional) or frost with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. Enjoy!

    Notes

    1. I like to have 2 baking sheets to work with so that each batch of cookies starts on a cool sheet. Alternating between sheets works well for 2 batches or 4 or more, which I often make for edible gift giving during the holidays.
    2. If you double this recipe, work with half of the dough at a time. Keeping the second half refrigerated until you've cooked all of the cookies from the first batch.
    3. When using Sugar Cookie Icing, be sure you give it ample time to cool and harden before stacking the cookies on a platter or in a gift box.
    4. Note that the nutrition information for these soft sugar cookies includes a full recipe of Sugar Cookie Icing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 199kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 121mgPotassium: 40mgSugar: 18gVitamin A: 275IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 0.7mg
    Keyword baking, Christmas, easy, edible gift, soft
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.
    « Shrimp Tacos
    Sugar Cookie Icing »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

      December 05, 2018 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      Although I love to make some fancy cookies sometimes, there's nothing better than simplicity during the holiday season. These cookies look and sound delicious. Also, the addition of sour cream is interesting too; I've never tried it in cookie dough.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        December 11, 2018 at 1:36 pm

        Thanks, Ben! The sour cream definitely adds a little magic to these. 😉

        Reply
    2. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      December 05, 2018 at 5:32 am

      5 stars
      Such a fun (and tasty) tradition! And who doesn't love a good sugar cookies, especially during the holidays? These look scrumptious, Marissa 🙂 Bring on the holidays cookies!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        December 05, 2018 at 1:29 pm

        Thank you, Dawn! And I agree - the holidays NEED sugar cookies!! 😉

        Reply
    3. David @ Spiced says

      December 04, 2018 at 5:37 am

      5 stars
      Oh, I am a sucker for a good sugar cookie! Truth be told, I might select sugar cookies over any other type of cookie. It'd be a close race, but if these soft sugar cookies are in the running...well, then the race is over. 🙂 These look amazing, Marissa!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        December 05, 2018 at 1:30 pm

        haha... I love it, David! Yes, soft sugar cookies win the race for sure! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Krista says

      December 17, 2012 at 1:19 pm

      Mmmmmm - I could go for about 10 of these about now... 😉

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        December 17, 2012 at 3:58 pm

        I'd love to share, Krista! xo

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    The best food happens at home. I love delicious food prepared simply with fresh ingredients and that’s just what you’ll find here! You can count on me for well tested, mouthwatering recipes designed for home cooks. Learn more →

    12 Recipes to Know by Heart Book Cover
    Subscribe for Free E-Cookbook

    Reader Favorites

    • Oven Roasted Crispy Pork Belly
    • Lemon Garlic Pasta
    • Bacon Wrapped Scallops
    • Homemade Ramen Noodles
    • Homemade Tonic Water
    • Shrimp Tacos
    • Mashed Red Potatoes
    • Gyro Meat Recipe
    • Pork Belly Ramen
    • Grilled Lamb Chops

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Meet Marissa
    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 PinchandSwirl

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Email