Alright, friends! Gather ’round, because today we’re diving headfirst into a batch of the most comforting soft sugar cookie you can imagine.

You know those days, right? The ones where school lunches are forgotten, the laundry pile is taller than your toddler, and dinner feels like a faraway dream. That’s when I reach for this recipe.

It all started a few years ago when my youngest was going through a picky eating phase. I was desperate for something – anything – that she would actually eat without a battle. After many tries, this soft sugar cookie recipe became her favorite. Seriously, she asks for them almost every week! It’s been a dinnertime win ever since.

The best part? It’s incredibly simple, uses ingredients you probably already have, and requires zero fancy techniques. So, if you’re a fellow mom searching for sanity-saving comfort food, you’re in the right place. Let’s get baking!

INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Because butter makes everything better, right? Plus, it contributes to that amazing soft sugar cookie texture.
1 ½ cups granulated sugar: This is what gives our cookies that classic sweetness. I always have it on hand.
2 large eggs: They bind everything together and add richness.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Don’t skimp on the vanilla! It enhances all the other flavors.
3 cups all-purpose flour: The base of our cookie dough.
1 teaspoon baking powder: This gives our soft sugar cookie a little lift.
½ teaspoon baking soda: Helps with browning and gives a nice, chewy texture.
½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out all the flavors.
Optional: Sprinkles!: Because who doesn’t love a little bit of fun?

A variety of raw ingredients including butter, sugar, eggs, and flour needed to make soft sugar cookies.

Trust me, this soft sugar cookie ingredient list is simple because busy moms need comfort without complexity! You can find these simple ingredients at your regular grocery store. This soft sugar cookie proves delicious doesn’t mean expensive. My family gets extra comfort when I add a little almond extract along with the vanilla – it makes them extra special!

Let’s Make it Happen!

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This step is essential for even baking and easy cleanup – a busy mom’s best friend!
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer for this. Either way, aim for a pale and creamy consistency. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that everything is evenly distributed.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Drop by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave a little space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
Sprinkle with sprinkles, if desired. The kids love this part!
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them – they can go from perfect to overdone quickly!
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set up properly.

Here’s where I used to struggle with my soft sugar cookie – learn from my experience! I used to overbake them, thinking they needed to be completely firm. The trick is to take them out when the edges are just starting to brown. They will continue to bake a bit as they cool. In my busy kitchen, this comforting soft sugar cookie usually takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. While your soft sugar cookie is cooking, take a moment to appreciate creating comfort for your family! Don’t worry if your soft sugar cookie looks a little puffy when they come out of the oven; they will flatten slightly as they cool.

How We Love to Eat This!

My kids devour this comforting soft sugar cookie when I serve it with a tall glass of milk. It’s the perfect after-school snack or a sweet treat after dinner.

This soft sugar cookie is also perfect for those busy weeknights when we need comfort food fast!

We also love to bring these cookies to potlucks or bake sales. They’re always a hit! For a festive touch, I sometimes add food coloring to the dough and make them themed for holidays. One year I made them for Halloween. They were so good! Check out MommiesMore for more holiday treats such as Halloween Cookie Cake or these Halloween Crinkle Cookies.

If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), they’re delicious crumbled over yogurt or ice cream. Another idea is to spread some peanut butter or cream cheese on them to make a little cookie sandwich.

These soft sugar cookie variations are also amazing: add a little lemon zest to the dough for a citrusy twist, or add chocolate chips for an extra dose of sweetness.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Is this soft sugar cookie really filling enough for growing kids? Absolutely! While it’s a treat, the butter and eggs provide some healthy fats and protein. Pair it with a glass of milk or a side of fruit for a more balanced snack.
What if my picky eater won’t try this soft sugar cookie? Try adding sprinkles or other fun toppings. Sometimes, a little visual appeal is all it takes to get them to try something new. You can also cut them into fun shapes using cookie cutters.
Can I meal prep this soft sugar cookie for busy weeks ahead? Yes! The dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just bring it to room temperature before baking. You can also bake the cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to a week.
Can I use different types of flour? While all-purpose flour works best for this recipe, you can experiment with other types of flour. Just keep in mind that the texture and taste may vary.
Can I freeze the cookie dough? Yes, you can! Roll the dough into a log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight and slice into cookies.
What if I don’t have vanilla extract? You can substitute with almond extract or lemon extract, or simply leave it out.
How do I keep my cookies soft? Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The bread will help to absorb any excess moisture, keeping the cookies soft and chewy sugar cookie delicious.

Final Thoughts:

This soft sugar cookie isn’t just a recipe; it’s a little piece of comfort and happiness that you can create in your own kitchen. It aligns perfectly with my family’s comfort food goals because it’s simple, delicious, and brings us all together.

Here are some comfort hacks that I’ve learned along the way:

Soft Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly soft, not melted. This will give your cookies the best texture.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
Underbake Slightly: Take the cookies out of the oven when the edges are just starting to brown. They will continue to bake as they cool.

And speaking of variations, here are a few of our favorites:

Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the dough.
Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add the zest of 1 lemon to the dough.
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies: This recipe for cream cheese sugar cookie is a favorite for Christmas.

My youngest prefers the chocolate chip version, while my oldest loves the lemon sugar cookies. I personally am a sucker for a melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie with a classic vanilla flavor.

Another family favorite is this chewy sugar cookie. I found a great soft and chewy sugar cookie recipe on Facebook.

Check out these sugared cranberries on MommiesMore too.

I hope you try this easy sugar cookie recipe and make it your own! I know it will become a staple in your house, just like it has in mine. Happy baking, friends! These soft sugar cookie are a simple pleasure for you and your family to enjoy together!

soft sugar cookie

Print Recipe

These soft sugar cookies are incredibly tender and melt in your mouth. Perfect for decorating or enjoying as a simple, sweet treat.

Author: Beatriz
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies
Category: Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of almond extract along with the vanilla. Decorate with frosting and sprinkles for a festive touch!