Easy Soft Sugar Cookie Recipes You'll Want to Make Every Week

Sugar cookies have a way of making any occasion feel a little more special. Whether you're baking for a holiday gathering, an afternoon treat, or just because the craving hits, a good sugar cookie recipe is something every home baker should have in their back pocket. Soft, tender, and sweet with just the right amount of chew — these recipes deliver exactly that. Below you'll find two tried-and-true versions that are straightforward to follow and hard to mess up.

Perfect No-Chill Soft Sugar Cookies

This classic recipe skips the chilling step entirely, which means you can go from mixing bowl to oven in no time. The cookies come out pillowy soft with slightly crisp edges and a buttery flavor that pairs beautifully with a simple vanilla glaze or dusting of colored sugar. They're the kind of cookies that disappear fast at party or bake sale, and the dough is easy enough for kids to help with too.

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and sour cream to the butter mixture. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
6. Scoop the dough into balls about .5 tablespoons each and place them2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
7. Gently flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand or bottom of a glass.Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are just set the centers still look slightly underdoneRemove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
8. Decorate with frosting, aaze, or a sprinkle of sugar once fully cooled.

Soft Chewy Gumdrop Sugar Cookies

These cookies put fun, colorful spin on the traditional sugar cookie by folding in chopped gumdrops for pops of sweetness and a festive look. The base dough uses a handful of pantry staples, making this an especially great option when you want a quick bake without long ingredient list. The gumdrops add a subtle fruity flavor and a gorgeous jewel-toned appearance that makes them perfect for holidays, birthday parties, or cookie exchanges.

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/aspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup gumdrops, cut into small pieces (remove black or licorice-flavored pieces if preferred)

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paperUse kitchen scissors a sharp knife to cut the gumdrops into small pieces. Lightly dust them with a little flour to prevent sticking together Set aside.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, b
3. Beat the softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes.
4. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract untilatter is smooth and uniformStir in the dry ingredients until just combined, then fold in the gumdrop pieces evenly throughout the dough.
5. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball inulated sugar to coat.
6. Place the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart and press down gently to flatten slightly.
7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers appearLet the cookies rest on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Both of these sugar cookie recipes are wonderfully versatile and easy to adapt Swap out extracts, try different sprinkle colors, or experiment with various gumdrop flavors to make them your own. Once you have a go-to soft sugar cookie in your rotation, you'll find yourself reaching for it again and again.