Name: Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Western
Ingredients: 225 g unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup caster sugar; 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 large egg (55-60 g); 3 cups plain/all purpose flour; 3/4 tsp baking powder; 3/4 tsp salt; Icing for sugar cookies; Chocolate for melting (optional); Silver balls or other sprinkles (optional); Icing sugar for dusting (optional)

There’s something so comforting about the sweet, buttery aroma of fresh-baked vanilla cookies drifting through your home. This Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe is pure joy—simple to make yet delightfully flavorful. Whether you’re rolling them out with kids or making a festive batch solo, these cookies bring instant smiles.

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

This recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, especially around the holidays. What I love most is how effortlessly it comes together—no fancy ingredients or techniques needed—and how versatile it is for any occasion or mood.

Super Simple: You need just basic pantry staples, so it’s easy to whip them up whenever the craving hits.
Perfect Texture: Crisp edges with tender centers, giving you that classic sugar cookie bite we all adore.
Versatile for Decorating: Whether you want to keep things plain or go wild with icing and sprinkles, these cookies hold up beautifully.
Kid-Friendly: Great for baking with little helpers—they'll love cutting shapes and decorating!

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

Every ingredient in this Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a key role. The balance of butter, sugar, and vanilla creates that melt-in-your-mouth softness while giving a subtle sweetness. I always use quality vanilla extract because it really makes these cookies sing.

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: Softened but not melted, it gives the dough that creamy texture and rich flavor. I prefer unsalted so I can control the salt level, but salted works fine too—just skip the added salt.
Sugar: Caster or superfine sugar dissolves better for a smooth texture, though granulated sugar is an easy swap in a pinch.
Vanilla Extract: A must-have for that warm vanilla aroma—don’t skimp here!
Egg: Adds structure and richness to the dough, helping it hold shape but stay tender.
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the dough; I sift it with baking powder and salt for an even mix and better rise.
Baking Powder: Just enough to give a light lift without puffing the cookies up like a cake.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness perfectly.

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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

I love playing around with this recipe, depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. It’s like a blank canvas, so don’t hesitate to jazz things up or keep it simple.

Variation: Once, I added a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg—totally transformed the classic into a cozy, spiced treat perfect for chilly evenings.
Dairy-Free Version: Substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative, and you still get that tender crumb with just a slight difference in flavor.
Shape It Up: Try rolling the dough thicker or thinner to decide if you want soft or crispy cookies.

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

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by beating the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer. I usually set mine on medium speed and mix for about a minute until the mixture looks pale and creamy. This little step makes a huge difference, helping your cookies come out tender with a lovely texture.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat everything again until it’s fully combined and smooth. I find mixing slowly here helps incorporate the ingredients without splashing or overmixing.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl to evenly distribute the rising agent and salt. Then, add the dry mix to your wet ingredients bit by bit. Start slow—you'll notice the dough looks crumbly and a bit clumpy at first, but keep mixing until it comes together.

Step 4: Shape and Chill the Dough

Sprinkle flour on your work surface and turn the dough out. Pat it together gently, then split into two discs. Chilling isn’t strictly necessary, but it makes the dough much easier to roll out and cut into shapes without sticking or tearing.

Step 5: Roll Out and Cut Shapes

Roll your dough out to your preferred thickness—around 0.3cm for crispier or 0.6cm for softer cookies. Sprinkle flour underneath and on top of the dough to help prevent sticking. Use your favorite cookie cutters for fun shapes, then carefully transfer them to a parchment-lined baking tray using a knife or spatula.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 10 minutes. I always put two trays in at once, swapping their positions halfway through the baking time so they cook evenly. The cookies are done when the edges are just starting to turn golden and the tops look pale. Let them cool completely on the trays—they’ll finish cooking gently as they rest.

Top Tip

Through a bunch of experiments, I’ve found that small details make a big difference in these vanilla sugar cookies. These tips ensure your batch turns out beautifully every time.

Butter Temperature: Always use butter softened at room temperature, not melted—it helps with creaming and creates a better crumb.
Even Thickness: Roll your dough evenly using spacers or a rolling pin with thickness guides so cookies bake uniformly.
Swap Trays Midway: Oven heat can vary top to bottom, so swapping cookie sheets halfway through baking gives even color and texture.
Don’t Skip Cooling on Tray: Cookies finish baking as they rest on the hot baking sheet, so removing them too early can lead to under-baked centers.

How to Serve Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

vanilla sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep things simple with a light dusting of icing sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate—both add a little extra sweetness without overpowering the delicate vanilla. For festive days, tiny silver balls or colorful sprinkles add a cheerful sparkle that kids adore.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea or hot cocoa—perfect for cozy afternoons. If you’re hosting a party, I like setting out a platter with mixed nuts, fresh fruit, and some creamy cheeses to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday occasions, I enjoy arranging them in gingerbread house shapes or stacking them in cellophane bags tied with ribbon as gifts. You can also sandwich two cookies together with a bit of vanilla or chocolate buttercream for an impressive treat everyone loves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between parchment paper sheets to prevent sticking. They stay fresh and tasty for about a week—but honestly, they rarely make it that long around here!

Freezing

If I want to prep dough ahead, I wrap the discs tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them. When I’m ready, I thaw in the fridge overnight and roll out as usual. You can also freeze baked cookies in an airtight container; just thaw to room temp before serving.

Reheating

To refresh chilled cookies, I pop them in a warm oven (about 300°F/150°C) for 3-5 minutes. This revives that fresh-baked softness and aroma without drying them out. Perfect for when you want that “just-out-of-the-oven” vibe again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend with xanthan gum included. Just keep an eye on the dough texture—it might be a bit more delicate, but they taste just as good!

How do I keep my cookies soft and not hard?

For softer cookies, roll your dough a bit thicker (around ¼ inch), avoid overbaking, and make sure to cool them on the baking sheet. Storing them in an airtight container with a slice of bread can also help retain moisture.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes! If you use salted butter, just skip adding extra salt in the recipe to avoid over-seasoning. The cookies will still have a lovely balance of flavors.

What’s the best way to roll out the dough to avoid sticking?

Dust both your work surface and rolling pin with flour, and sprinkle the dough lightly as well. Rolling between two sheets of parchment paper is another great trick that prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe has been one of my go-to treats ever since I discovered how effortless and rewarding it is. Whether you’re baking with family, gifting cookies to friends, or just indulging yourself with a warm batch, these cookies always bring a little magic to the kitchen. I can’t recommend them enough—grab your ingredients and get ready to make some sweet memories!