Go Back
+ servings
Best sugar cookie recipe
Print

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe

These easy sugar cookies are the best around! They are light and flavorful, crunchy, and perfect for icing!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
chilling time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12 large cookies
Author Lisa

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup cold butter cut into pieces
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract or any other extract you want!*
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder

Chocolate Ganache

  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon refined coconut oil*

Simple Sugar Cookie Icing

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbs milk
  • 1 teaspoon light corn syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract*
  • Food coloring optional

Instructions

How to make sugar cookies:

  • In a food processor, process sugar for 30-45 seconds to make superfine sugar (not powdered!)
  • Add in cold butter pieces and process for another 30-45 seconds. Until the butter and sugar are just combined.
  • Add in egg and vanilla extract. Process until just combined. You may need to scrape down the sides at least once.
  • Add in flour, baking soda and baking powder. Process until combined.
  • Divide dough in half. Take half of dough and place in-between two large pieces of parchment paper. Roll dough into a flat layer about an ⅛th inch think. Do the same with the other half. Refrigerate the flattened dough for at least 1.5 hours.
  • Cut out desired cookie shape* and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet*.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, on the second to lowest rack, at 300°F, or until edges just start to turn golden. Any scraps of dough leftover can be rerolled and refrigerated while the other cookies are baking. Try to use a cold baking sheet for every new batch.
  • Frost or eat plain! Both ways are delicious!

Ganache recipe:

  • Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds, stir, and repeat until chocolate is fully melted.

How to make sugar cookie icing:

  • Combine powdered sugar and milk fully. The mixture will be stiff.
  • Stir in corn syrup and extract.
  • Add food coloring if desired.

Notes

*Vanilla is the typical extract of choice, but almond, lemon and orange extract are also great options! Try them sometime! *You can use unrefined coconut oil but I prefer not to taste the coconut so I use refined. *Depending on how cold the dough is, it might be hard to lift it off the parchment paper. If that’s the case just use scissors to cut parchment paper around the cookie and place cookie and parchment directly on baking sheet. *If you have a baking sheet without edges use it! It will allow the air to circulate better.
Sugar Cookie Recipe Inspired by Cook’s Illustrated Better Holiday Sugar Cookies
Sugar Cookie Icing from Genius Kitchen