Basic Sugar Cookie Dough is a versatile and essential recipe for creating classic sugar cookies that can be shaped, decorated, and customized for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a celebration, or just a fun project with the family, this dough delivers cookies that are buttery, crisp around the edges, and perfectly soft in the center. With just the right amount of sweetness, this dough is easy to work with, making it perfect for rolling out, cutting into shapes, or even just baking as drop cookies. Decorate with icing, sprinkles, or enjoy them plain—this dough is your go-to for delicious homemade sugar cookies.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, and continue to beat until well combined.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth dough forms. If the dough feels too soft to roll out, cover and chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- Prepare to bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Shape the cookies: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, or scoop tablespoons of dough to make drop cookies. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between them.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
This Basic Sugar Cookie Dough is perfect for rolling out and decorating, offering a deliciously sweet and buttery base for all your favorite cookie creations!
