Name: Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Western
Ingredients: 225g / 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (or use salted, skip salt); 1 cup caster/superfine sugar (granulated/ordinary white sugar ok too); 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 large egg (55-60g / 1.9-2oz); 3 cups plain/all purpose flour; 3/4 tsp baking powder; 3/4 tsp salt; Icing for Sugar Cookies; Optional: melted chocolate for dipping, silver balls, icing sugar for dusting

There’s something simply magical about the smell of warm vanilla filling the kitchen, isn’t there? That’s exactly what you’ll get when you make this Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe. These vanilla biscuits are tender, lightly sweet, and just begging to be decorated (or enjoyed plain with a cup of tea!). Let me walk you through why this classic treat is a must-bake and how you can make it your own.

The image shows a group of Christmas cookies with different shapes and colorful icing on a white marbled surface. There are snowflake-shaped cookies with white icing as the base layer and green or red icing creating lines and dots on top. Candy cane-shaped cookies have a white icing base with red stripes on top. Tree-shaped cookies have a green icing base with white icing lines and small red dots and silver balls as decoration. Star-shaped cookies have a red icing base with textured white icing on top, resembling a snowy pattern. The cookies have a golden-brown edge where the dough is visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From my very first batch, these cookies won me over with their buttery, vanilla-scented simplicity that always feels like a warm hug. They’re incredibly easy to whip up, yet deliver bakery-quality results every time.

Simple ingredients: No fancy, hard-to-find stuff needed—just pantry staples you probably already have.
Versatility: Great for decorating, gift-giving, or just snacking straight out of the cookie jar.
Perfect texture: Tender but sturdy enough to hold intricate shapes and icing.
Reliable results: Foolproof steps that help you avoid common sugar cookie fails like spreading or dryness.

A metal baking tray filled with flat Christmas-themed sugar cookies in different shapes including trees, stars, candy canes, and snowflakes, each cookie decorated with smooth, colorful icing. The snowflake cookies have a white base with red or green icing lines and dots forming symmetrical patterns. The star cookies are coated with solid red or green icing, then decorated with white zigzag lines on top. Christmas tree cookies are coated in green icing, with white lines and dots as tree decorations. Candy cane cookies have white icing with red stripes wrapped around them. The tray sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a part in creating that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Let’s break down what to look for when you’re gathering supplies, so your cookies turn out just right.

Flat lay of a small mound of softened pale yellow unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white caster sugar, a single large whole brown egg with a smooth clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl with clear golden vanilla extract, a neat pile of white all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl holding fine white baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl with coarse white salt crystals, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Softer, creamy butter adds richness without extra salt—plus it creams beautifully with sugar.
Sugar (caster or superfine): Dissolves quicker for a smooth dough that’s easy to roll and shapes nicely.
Vanilla extract: The star flavor here—pure vanilla ensures those classic warm, sweet notes.
Egg: Adds structure and moisture—make sure it’s at room temperature for best mixing.
All-purpose flour: Forms the base; be sure to measure properly to keep cookies tender but not flat.
Baking powder: Gives a slight lift, making the cookies light instead of tough.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances vanilla flavor—don’t skip it even if you use salted butter, just adjust accordingly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This recipe is such a lovely base, I love tweaking it to keep things exciting. From simple add-ins to festive touches, this cookie dough welcomes creativity.

Variation: One time, I added a teaspoon of almond extract alongside vanilla—super subtle but delightfully nutty flavor that made these extra special for a holiday party.
Dietary swaps: For a dairy-free option, using vegan butter works surprisingly well here. Just keep the dough chilled so it doesn’t get too soft.
Seasonal changes: A sprinkle of citrus zest (lemon or orange) brightens up the classic vanilla, making it perfect for spring.
Difficulty levels: Even if you’re a beginner, the step-by-step instructions will have you feeling like a pro baker in no time.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugar until silky smooth

I usually use an electric mixer for this part—just about a minute on medium speed until the mixture turns pale and creamy. It’s the secret to that tender crumb texture we all want. Don’t skip this or rinse the sugar away—getting the butter and sugar perfectly creamed at the start makes rolling out the dough so much easier.

Step 2: Add egg and vanilla extract

Drop in the egg and pour in the vanilla, then beat until the batter looks consistent and glossy. This step brings moisture and flavor, kickstarting the cookie dough’s deliciousness.

Step 3: Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt

Switch your mixer to low speed and gradually add the dry ingredients. The dough may get a little clumpy at this point—don’t worry, that’s normal. Just mixing until everything comes together is key; you don’t want to overwork it.

Step 4: Chill and roll out the dough

Dust your workspace with flour and scrape the dough out of the bowl. I pat it gently, then split it into two discs. Wrapping each disc in cling film, I pop them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes—it makes rolling easier and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.

Step 5: Cut shapes and bake

Roll the dough out to your preferred thickness—about ⅛ inch for crispier cookies, or ¼ inch if you like them softer. Use your favorite cookie cutters to press out shapes, then transfer them carefully to parchment-lined trays. I like to sprinkle flour on top of the dough as well to stop sticking. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for about 10 minutes, swapping trays halfway so everything cooks evenly.

Step 6: Cool completely before decorating

Patience is key here—cooling on the tray lets the cookies set perfectly, locking in their delicate texture. Once cooled, they’re ready for icing, dipping, or just enjoying straight away.

Top Tip

From baking these cookies countless times at home, I’ve learned a few key tricks that really make a difference in your results and save you stress along the way.

Swapping trays halfway: This simple move ensures even baking since ovens rarely heat evenly. One tray gets hotter faster, so switching keeps cookies perfectly golden on both trays.
Chill your dough: Always chill the dough before rolling. It makes cutting shapes easier and stops your cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
Don’t over-flour: Sprinkle just enough flour to prevent sticking—too much can dry out the dough and make cookies crumbly.
Watch your baking time: Pull cookies out when edges just turn golden; they’ll continue to cook slightly on the hot baking tray.

How to Serve Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

vanilla sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic with a dusting of icing sugar or a simple drizzle of melted chocolate. For parties, though, I’ve gone wild with colorful royal icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter—kids and adults both love joining in the decorating fun!

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect alongside a hot cup of tea or coffee. Around the holidays, I pair them with mulled wine or hot cocoa for that cozy vibe. Sometimes, I tuck them into lunchboxes with fruit and a little cheese for a fancy snack.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I like stacking these cookies tied with twine inside a pretty box with a sprig of rosemary or pine. At parties, arranging them in festive shapes on a platter turns the cookie plate into a centerpiece. And if you’re feeling artsy, layering various decorated sugar cookies on a cake stand feels extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep any leftover vanilla sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay perfectly fresh for about a week—if I’m honest, they rarely last that long in my house! Just remember to layer wax paper between them if you’ve decorated with icing so they don’t stick together.

Freezing

Freezing works great if you want to prep dough in advance. Just shape and flash-freeze the cutouts on a tray, then store them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, pop frozen cookies straight into the oven—just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

If your cookies lose a bit of their fresh-baked softness, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave or a few minutes in a low oven can bring back that just-out-of-the-oven feel. Just watch carefully so they don’t get crispy again!

Frequently Asked Questions:

How thick should I roll the dough for this Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe?

For crisper cookies, roll your dough to about ⅛ inch (0.3 cm) thick. If you prefer a softer, chewier cookie, roll to about ¼ inch (0.6 cm). Both thicknesses bake beautifully; just keep an eye on baking time to avoid overbaking.

Can I use salted butter in this recipe?

Absolutely! If you use salted butter, just skip the added salt in the recipe to keep the balance right. It won’t affect the flavor much, but it’s an easy swap if that’s what you have on hand.

How do I prevent my sugar cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling your dough before rolling and cutting shapes is key to preventing spreading. Also, avoid over-creaming the butter and sugar, and don’t over-flour your dough once rolled—it’s a balancing act, but following these tips helps keep those pretty edges crisp.

Can I decorate these vanilla sugar cookies with icing?

Yes! These cookies are a perfect canvas for all sorts of decorating. I recommend waiting until they’re completely cool so your icing sets nicely without melting. Royal icing, chocolate drizzle, or a simple dusting of icing sugar all work wonders.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe enough. It’s the kind of baking that feels comforting, fun, and just downright satisfying every time you make it. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned cookie decorator, these vanilla biscuits offer a reliable, delicious canvas you’ll come back to again and again. Now, grab your rolling pin and let’s get baking!