Soft, chewy sugar cookies with crisp edges and thick centers can satisfy all your sweet tooth cravings while giving you an edible canvas for channeling your inner Picasso. After all, everyone loves a beautifully decorated cookie.

If you're looking for a sugar cookie easy recipe that is as easy to make as it is to eat, this easy cookie recipe complete with frequently asked questions might be your new favorite!

How To Make Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
⅔ cup + 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar (divided)
2 cups + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
Rainbow sprinkles and icing (optional but recommended)

Step 1: Make the Dough

Use a handheld mixer to beat the butter and sugar until smooth. The consistency will be a little gritty, but that's fine. Add your egg and ensure everything is thoroughly mixed. 

Once combined, add flour a cup at a time and mix between each addition to make the perfect dough. Wrap your cookie dough in plastic wrap and slide it in the refrigerator for at least an hour to chill.

Friendly tip: To add a boost of flavor, consider adding vanilla. You can also flavor the dough with 1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract, maple extract, coconut extract, or peppermint extract. 

Step 2: Shape the Cookies

After an hour, remove the dough from the refrigerator and form it into 1-inch balls. I recommend using a cookie scoop to ensure uniformity. Once done, roll the balls in sugar, giving them a light coating, then flatten them to the required thickness with the bottom of a measuring cup. 

If you're short on time, consider spreading the dough on a lightly floured surface and once you've reached ¼ inch thickness, cut it in your desired shape with a cookie cutter.

Step 3: Bake

Cookies spread while baking, so leave some space between them on the cookie sheet. Once done, bake the cookies at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 10 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies. If you're unsure, bake until they're just barely golden around the edges and bottom or when they're no longer shiny on top. 

Step 4: Let them Rest

Let your sugar cookies rest and cool for 10 to 15 minutes. This will give the cookies additional sturdiness, so they don't crumble at first touch. You can then decorate them with sprinkles or frost them with icing made with meringue powder to amp up their appeal.

How to Make Your Cookies Even Better

Baking is extremely rewarding, but it has its fair share of intricacies. If you miscalculate a step, you'll be stuck with a batch of cookies that may not taste or look as good as you want them to.

If you realize you made a mistake after baking your first batch and still have more cookie dough, you may be able to improve your next batch. Here's a list of common cookie problems and their quick fixes:

Is the cookie dough too dry? You've likely used more flour than necessary. To fix, knead some vegetable oil into your dough.

Is the cookie dough too sticky? Your dough might need more flour or needs to be chilled for longer. To rectify, chill the dough a second time. If the cookie dough is still sticky, consider working in a little more flour.

Have the cookies lost their shape while baking? Immediately re-cut the cookies with a cookie cutter after removing them from the oven. Since cookies are more delicate after baking, you can fix their shapes with minimal to no damage.

Are the cookie surfaces uneven? Run a fondant smoother across the surface and gently pat the tops immediately after removing the cookie sheet from the oven.

Are the baked cookies gummy? They might be too moist. To rectify, bake until the surface is no longer shiny.

How to Store

Store the sugar cookies in an airtight container by layering single layers with parchment paper in between. Make sure to consume them within five days.

If you end up with more dough than you can immediately consume, form the dough into balls before freezing. To enjoy them, all you have to do is thaw them in the fridge overnight, roll them in sugar, flatten them, and bake.

You can also bake them before freezing. Just place your baked cookies on a baking sheet and slide them into the freezer. Once they're frozen, layer the cookies in an airtight container or bag with parchment paper between layers and return them to your freezer. To thaw, place the cookies on a cooling rack and let them sit at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I help my sugar cookies keep their shape?

To help your sugar cookies retain their shape, start with a firm cookie dough that has enough flour to keep the dough from spreading as it bakes. You can also chill the dough a second time before removing them from the parchment paper and transferring them to the cookie sheet.

Why do my sugar cookies taste like flour?

The floury taste of cookies can be attributed to improper mixing and under baking. To ensure it doesn't happen again, pay attention to how you form the dough. Ideally, you must add flour one cup at a time and mix thoroughly before repeating. That should get rid of the floury taste.

Show Us Your Cookies and Nails

Now that you've baked some scrumptious, gorgeous cookies, it's time to showcase your oh-so-amazing skills with a quick Instagram post. Treat us to a close-up look of your cookie creations by holding one in your hand. While you're at it, get your nail game on by visiting 786 Cosmetics' Instagram account for inspiration and their website for a non-toxic shade you love.

A quick sugar update to grace your followers' feeds and show off your baking skills? Yes, please.

Author: Keren Dinkin