If you’re looking for the best soft sugar cookie recipe, look no further! These cookies are soft, chewy, and frosted – perfect for any occasion.
These soft sugar cookies are anything but average! They’re soft, chewy, and frosted to perfection.
There are two reasons my family and I love the sugar cookies at Eileen’s Cookies, a local cookie shop in town. Firstly, they’re soft. Secondly, they use almond extract in their recipe – and we can all agree that it improves everything.
Not only do my kids find this to be the best sugar cookie recipe ever to exist, but it also happens to be my husband’s favorite. If I let him, he would eat the entire batch in one sitting! I love being able to make these for him on days when he needs them. We all have those kinds of days, don’t we? This dough is simply addicting.
You’re gonna love this cookie! Trust me! Beware, this dough is addictive, and if you are not careful, you will not even make it to placing them in the oven.
Ingredients you will need to make this cookie recipe.
Sugar Cookies
- 1 1/4 cups white sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon almond extract or clear vanilla
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Frosting
- 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1/2 cup butter room temp
- 5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract or clear vanilla extract
How is a soft sugar cookie recipe made?
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly grease two cookie sheets.
In a bowl, mix sugar and butter until creamy. Add in egg yolks and almond or vanilla extract.
Add flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar to the bowl. Stir until ingredients are fully mixed – the dough should be firm (unlike your normal cookie dough consistency), but this is intentional.
Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough out, then form it into walnut-sized balls. Arrange them on the cookie sheet so that they are about 2 inches apart, and don’t flatten them down.
Bake for 10 or 11 minutes; you’ll know they’re done when the tops are cracked and just barely starting to turn brown in color.
In a large bowl, cream together the confectioner’s sugar and butter until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk and almond or vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Color with food coloring if desired. The recipe makes 3 cups.
Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe Tips:
Can you freeze sugar cookies?
Once cookies have cooled completely, they can be individually wrapped and frozen. Another method is to stack them in layers in a Ziplock bag or container, separating the layers with parchment paper. I prefer wrapping each cookie because it tastes better that way. Do not freeze after frosting the cookies.
How long will cookies stay fresh in an airtight container?
If you store your cookies properly and in an airtight container, they will last for about 2 to 3 weeks. For the best experience, frost them before serving.
Can you freeze the dough?
Easily freeze this cookie dough by portioning it out beforehand. Scoop the desired amount of cookies onto a piece of parchment paper, then wrap it in plastic or store it in an airtight container.
Preheat the oven to the temperature suggested in the recipe, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and place 2 inches apart. The only thing you will need to change is adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time for the frozen dough.
My favorite kitchen tools used to make Amazing Soft Sugar Cookies:
This post may contain affiliate links. See my Full Disclosure for further details.
SHEET PAN: I love using a larger sheet pan while cooking because I am feeding my family of seven. I love these pans so much that I have 9!
MEASURING CUPS: Nothing beats a good set of measuring cups that last a long time. I love metal measuring cups because of their durability.
KITCHENAID MIXER: I love my Kitchen-Aid mixer and use it almost daily. For cookies, bread, sauces, frostings and dough – I find many recipes that I can use my Kitchenaid to reduce prep time. I have two that I couldn’t live without.
Looking for more cookie recipes? Try these:
German Chocolate Cake Cookies
Best Ever Peanut Butter Cookies
Snickerdoodles
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Don’t forget to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!
Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
Sugar Cookies
- 1 1/4 cups white sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon almond extract or clear vanilla
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Frosting
- 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1/2 cup butter room temp
- 5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract or clear vanilla extract
Instructions
Sugar Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets.
- Cream together sugar and butter. Beat in egg yolks and almond or vanilla extract.
- Add flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Stir. (Note: dough will be firm, not like your normal cookie dough. Don’t worry it is supposed to be this way.)
- Form dough into walnut size balls and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Don’t flatten. Bake 10 to 11 minutes, until tops are cracked and just turning color.
Frosting
- In a large bowl, cream together the confectioner’s sugar and butter until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk and almond or vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Color with food coloring if desired. Recipe makes 3 cups.
Video
Spotted your post on the Wined Down Party and couldn’t resist checking them out. I love these kind of sugar cookies but haven’t found a recipe that I really liked. Yours look excellent so pinned to my cooking bucket list. Definitely going to give them a try!
I thought they were ok ish and they were WAYYY to dry!!!
I hate to seem rude this is just gross
What brand are your sprinkles??
I used the Wilton Sprinkles Rainbow Jimmies – 6.25 Oz
I love sugar cookies! These look amazing!
Thanks for sharing these at Talking Tuesday Sandra, love sugar cookies!
These look like the soft sugar cookies with frosting that you can find at many bakeries and stores; that my family LOVES! Thank you for sharing at our TGIF Link Party at A Peek Into My Paradise. Your post will be featured at the TGIF Link Party this week and was pinned to the TGIF Party Board! I can’t wait to see what you link up this week!
Cathy @ http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/
I love soft sugar cookies! This is a recipe I’ll have to try out soon. A few of my friends and I will be hosting a Christmas/winter-themed link-up party starting November 22nd. It will take place each Friday leading up to Christmas. I’d love it if you’d come and share this post plus anymore winter holiday-related posts you have (both old and new posts welcome)!
I love sugar cookies! Can’t wait to try these! Thanks for sharing them with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
These look so yummy, Sandra…I think you’ve given your town’s cookie shop a run for its money! And thanks so much for sharing your recipe over at Moonlight & Mason Jars! 🙂
My children would really enjoy these!! Pinning for later!
I made these today and they were delicious! But they did not look like the picture. Mine were really small, and I know you said not to flatten them. Any idea what went wrong? Thanks.
Shelley –
Here are a couple of things that it could have been. Was the butter at room temp? When creaming the sugar and butter together it is always best to cream until it doesn’t look grainy. Another thing, was did you use just egg yolks? Also, do you have a cookie dough scooper? Those are the things off the top of my head of what I think it could be. When you make it again, let me know. So happy to have you along and that you enjoyed them. Next time maybe just eat the dough…lol.
xoxo San
Do the iced cookies need to be refrigerated.
No, they do not. Enjoy!
Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing at the Twirl & Take a Bow Party! Have a great day.
Leslie
House on the Way
These look great. I’m pinning it right now, so I can find them on days when I “need” them too.
Hey, I’m planning on making these this week but I noticed that you said not to flatten them. We were hoping to roll them out and use cookie cutters, and then frost them for Christmas. Is there a different temperature or length of time I should cook them for them to cook properly when rolled out? Thanks, Courtney
Courtney,
Honestly, I have never rolled them out and used the dough with cookie cutters. I have another recipe I do that with. I would still cook them at the same temp but reduce the amount of time. I would just watch the first batch, these cookies don’t get golden like other sugar cookies, but watch the edge of the cookie to see when it is done, the middle will not be crisp like a normal cookie cutter sugar cookie, but still should not be doughy. I am now tempted to try today, but let me know how it goes.
Cheers to a new cookie adventure….xoxo San
I just made these! Seriously yummy!!! I did try cutouts. My circles are great but my pointed ones not so pretty. I rolled them about 1/4 inch and only baked them for about 5, givevor take. I just watched them carefully. Hope that helps someone;).
I made these cookies today and wow! They are so good. I highly recommend using the almond extract as apposed to the vanilla. I will definitely be making these again soon!
can i make cut out cookies with this recipe?
Alison,
I have never done this cut out before. But now I have been asked by multiple people I will be trying this when I get home from holiday vacation and will keep you posted.
xoxo San
can you make cut out cookies with this recipe? these cookies look amazing!!
I have never done them cut out before and not sure how they would be. I need to try it. Let me know if you do and how it works. Merry Christmas and they are the best cookies ever!!!
This are fantastic my kids and I LOVE these. I added some vanilla bean this time (scraped out seeds) and they are in the oven can’t wait to eat them the house smells delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Sandra – love the vanilla bean idea!!!! So happy you made them. xoxo San
I normally prefer chewy cookies, but I have never been known to turn down a cookie 😉
They look very addicting. I will have to make that.
Pinned your recipe – they cookies look delicious. I am always looking for soft cookie recipes to try.
These sound so good and look so pretty….
I love soft sugar cookies — the mushier, the better!
These look fabulous! I’m saving this to try soon because we love sugar cookies around here!
I love soft cookies! Great recipe!
Sugar cookies are one of my favs and these look like they will become my new favorite recipe! Thank you so much for sharing, can’t wait to try them!
Jen – I am so excited for you to try them. Come back and let me know what you think! They are one of my fav cookies EVER! xo San
These look so good! I just love a good, soft sugar cookie!
These look like those delicious cookies I haven’t ever been able to recreate! I have GOT to make these.
Great Recipe The Girls Will Love Making These With Me!
Really? Cream of tartar… where do I find that? These sound awesome. Thanks so much
Shauna – in the seasoning section of your grocery store. Usually near the vanilla, cinnamon and etc. Just buy a small one, if you don’t use it much. xo San
I have a weakness for soft baked sugar cookies!! These look so darn good and fluffy!
love soft cookies and sugar cookies are my favorite!
G’day! I love sugar cookies Sandra! YUM!
Cheers! Joanne
Nothing better than soft cookies! I don’t like the crispy kind that get all crumby! These are much better!
Karen – we have similar taste! xo San
These sound so good! I love a good sugar cookie. Will have to try!
oh gosh. now i want a sugar cookie really bad!!
These sugar cookies look so tasty. I’ll have to try them sometime.
I love soft sugar cookies! I could never make them but I do love them! Now I’ll definitely have to try this!
Lexie you will love it, come back and let me know what you think. xo San
It is great that you can taste something and then recreate it at home. That is a wonderful skill.
Thanks Janeane! xo San
There’s really nothing better at times than a good, simple, classic soft sugar cookie! Such great comfort food, especially with icing.
I completely agree girl! xo San
Sounds like you are saving yourself a ton of money making them yourself! They sound delicious!
This is a wonderful point Lucy!!! LOL. xo San
Yay another recipe to try this week! Almond flour is also one of my faves, so been looking for some delicious things to make with it 🙂
Thanks for featuring this!
Hi Sandra,
I was just at Eileen’s and googled their sugar cookie recipe which brought me to your sight… I am in the middle of making your cookies and the frosting recipe directions say to “cream together the confectioners’ sugar and shortening until smooth” I cannot find shortening anywhere in the frosting recipe though. Do you use butter or shortening in the frosting? Please correct this on the sight. The dough is AMAZING just to eat and I will be eating one of the cookies in 8 short minutes! Thanks so much!
I have made these two times now and they are absolutely amazing! Dead on just like eileens well done
I absolutely love these cookies! I’m making my 3 batch right now, my family scarfs them down so fast can’t keep them longer than 2 days!
I LOVE Eileen’s Cookies from my hometown! But unfortunately I can’t get them in Florida. 🙁 Came across this recipe and thought we would try it today. It’s a very good recipe but unfortunately my first batch did not flatten like it said it would. Followed the recipe exactly using almond extract and room temp. butter. So my second I flattened slightly with a bottom of a glass and it worked wonderfully.
They look so pretty.
San, yep…Just like Eileen’s!! Just made these tonight, and they are amazing! ❤️
I am thanking you and cursing you at the same time. Eileen’s cookies is an hour away, so they are a special treat… this is a very good copy. Love almond extract sugar cookies!! How anyone could say these are gross is beyond me!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Wow made these last week and they were amazing I followed the recipe exactly using almond extract rolled them a little smaller got 3 dozen and baked them for 8 minutes and let them sit in the pan for two so they could continue cooking I iced 1 dozen and froze the other 2 they are great on their own without frosting as well making them again today and will do half vanilla half almond in the frosting this time for extra flavour thank you so much for the recipe
This looks so delicious! I am definitely going to try this one!
Enjoy!
I first made this recipe about 3 years ago for a Christmas party with family and now that’s my mandatory contribution to all dinners. I’m making them this morning for Mothers’ Day.
Great recipe! The cookie tastes just like Eileen’s sugar cookies but the frosting is 100 percent better!
I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you!
These are my favorite cookie ever! I love the flavor and how quick they are to whip up. I’m making it a goal to try all your cookies because these were sheer perfection!
These cookies were not thick at all. Not sure what I did wrong.
These cookies are so good! The soft texture is amazing, and I love the frosting on top.
Nothing beats a delicious sugar cookie. These are the best I have ever had!
These sugar cookies are absolutely amazing! My family enjoyed them so much!! Thanks for a great recipe! 🙂
These cookies did not last long at our house! They were incredible!!
Really loving how soft these are. So good!
I am drooling over these cookies! Must make them this weekend!
By far one of the best sugar cookies I have ever had!
Oh! Yum! My mom would surely love this!
We love these cookies! My kids beg for them!
Mmmmm…. these cookies look amazing! Perfect as an afternoon treat!
Looks so good! Can’t wait to make a basket of this!