Name: 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; Melted chocolate for dipping; Silver balls for garnish; Icing sugar for dusting

There’s something deeply comforting about classic, buttery treats, and this Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe is exactly that. With a delicate vanilla aroma and a crisp yet tender bite, these cookies have become my go-to when I want to add a sweet, simple touch of joy to any day.

The image shows a collection of Christmas-themed cookies on a white marbled texture. The cookies are decorated with smooth icing in shapes like stars, Christmas trees, candy canes, and snowflakes. One cookie is shaped like a snowflake and has a white icing base with green icing details creating a snowflake pattern on top. Another cookie shaped like a Christmas tree is covered in green icing with white icing lines forming garlands and small red and silver round candies as decorations. Candy cane cookies have a white icing base with red stripes evenly spaced across. Star-shaped cookies include one with red icing topped with white icing lines and small white sugar crystals. The icing layers are smooth and slightly glossy, sitting on a golden-brown cookie base. 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 Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made countless sugar cookies, but this Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe always comes out perfect—every single time. It’s simple enough for a weekday treat but elegant enough for special occasions too, making it the kind of recipe you’ll keep revisiting.

Perfect balance of flavor: The pure vanilla shine through beautifully without overpowering the buttery sweetness.
Easy to customize: Whether you want them thin and crisp or thicker and soft, you control the texture.
Great for decorating: Pairs wonderfully with icing, sprinkles, or a quick dusting of powdered sugar.
Reliable baking results: Swapping trays mid-bake ensures even cooking—say goodbye to uneven bottoms or burnt edges!

The image shows a baking tray full of Christmas-themed sugar cookies with detailed icing. There are three different shapes: snowflakes, candy canes, and stars. The snowflakes are iced with a white base and decorated with thin red or green lines and dots to create a delicate pattern. The candy cane cookies have a white base with red stripes running diagonally along the shape. The star cookies have a green or red base with white icing applied in a zigzag pattern on top. The tray is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe plays its part, giving you a cookie that’s both tender and sturdy enough for decorating. Plus, I'll share tips to help you pick ingredients that make baking easier and tastier.

Flat lay of a small mound of softened pale yellow unsalted butter, a neat pile of fine white caster sugar, a single large brown egg with a clean uncracked shell, a modest heap of smooth white all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of clear golden vanilla extract, a pinch of fine white salt in a tiny white bowl, a small white bowl holding white baking powder, all arranged symmetrically in perfect proportions on a clean white ceramic plate, 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: It’s best softened to room temperature so it creams well with sugar, giving the dough a smooth texture. Using salted butter? Just skip adding extra salt later.
Caster sugar (superfine sugar): Dissolves quickly into the butter without gritty texture—though regular granulated sugar works in a pinch.
Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla adds warmth and sweetness without any artificial aftertaste—use as much as you like, but 1 ½ teaspoons hits the perfect note.
Large egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture for that tender crumb.
Plain flour (all-purpose flour): The right flour for structure without making cookies tough; sift it to avoid lumps.
Baking powder: Just a touch creates a light lift, so your cookies aren’t dense or flat.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors. Use less if you’ve got salted butter.

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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 a canvas for your creativity. I often roll the dough a little thinner for crisper cookies during warmer months, but in winter, I like them thicker and softer to pair with tea. Add decorative touches or flavor twists to make it truly yours.

Variation: Once, I swapped vanilla extract for almond extract—totally transformed the flavor for a festive touch, which my family loved!
Dietary swap: Try using coconut oil instead of butter for a subtle tropical note, and beware it changes dough texture slightly.
Seasonal change: Add finely grated lemon or orange zest with vanilla for a citrus twist in spring and summer.

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

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar until Light and Fluffy

Start by softening your butter to room temperature so it’s easy to beat. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed for about a minute until it looks creamy and a bit lighter in color. This step is key because it creates tiny air pockets which give your cookies that tender texture.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla Extract

Add in the egg and vanilla and beat until everything’s fully combined. Scrape the sides down with a spatula so you don’t miss any bits. This makes sure the dough is smooth and evenly flavored.

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients Gradually

Now toss in the flour, baking powder, and salt—but here’s the trick: start mixing slowly to prevent flour clouds flying everywhere. At first, the dough may look clumpy, but keep mixing just until you have a consistent dough. Overmixing can make your cookies tough, so be gentle.

Step 4: Shape and Chill the Dough

Dust your countertop lightly with flour, then scrape out the dough and pat it together into two discs. This shape makes it easy to roll later. Some recipes skip chilling, but I find resting the dough—even if just for 20 minutes in the fridge—helps the cookies keep their shape and prevents spreading.

Step 5: Roll Out and Cut Your Cookies

Roll each disc to your desired thickness: around 3mm for crispier or 6mm for softer cookies. Sprinkle flour on both the dough and rolling pin to keep things from sticking. Use your favorite cookie cutters and gently transfer the shapes to parchment-lined trays with a spatula. Keep leftover dough chilled while you work.

Step 6: Bake with Swapped Tray Trick for Even Color

Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F for about 10 minutes. Here’s a pro tip I swear by: if you’re baking two trays, place one on a middle rack and one below. Halfway through, swap their positions. This little move ensures even baking so those edges don’t burn while the bottoms brown nicely.

Step 7: Cool Completely and Decorate

Let the cookies cool fully on the trays. They look soft when fresh out of the oven, but they’ll firm up as they cool. Then, go wild decorating! I love icing them with simple royal icing or melting chocolate for dipping, or even just a dusting of icing sugar for a rustic charm.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned little tricks that make this Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe really shine and help you bake with confidence. These tips helped me avoid common pitfalls, and they'll do the same for you!

Don't Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until incorporated to keep your cookies tender, not chewy or dense.
Tray Swapping: Moving trays halfway through baking really evens out browning—don’t skip this step, especially with two trays at once.
Flour Sprinkle: Generously flour your rolling surface and rolling pin to make rolling and cutting smooth without sticking or tearing dough.
Cooling on Tray: Let cookies cool where you baked them—this allows residual heat to finish the setting process, so they’re perfectly baked but soft.

How to Serve Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

vanilla sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

When I serve these sugar cookies, I love simple garnishes that enhance but don’t overwhelm. A light dusting of icing sugar looks snowy and festive, while finely chopped nuts or sprinkles add a fun texture contrast. For holidays, colored royal icing is a must!

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a steaming cup of chai tea or rich hot chocolate for the ultimate cozy experience. For brunch or holiday gatherings, they also go beautifully alongside fresh berries or a mild cheese plate.

Creative Ways to Present

At Christmas, I like packaging these Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe-shaped treats in jute bags with twine for gifts. For parties, arranging them on a tiered platter with mint sprigs and cranberries adds festive flair. Decorating with edible glitter or personalized names makes them extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and tasty for up to a week—though if I’m honest, most don’t last that long around here! Keep the container in a cool spot to prevent softening.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies once baked and cooled—just layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. When you want a treat, thaw at room temp and they’ll taste just like fresh!

Reheating

If you want that freshly baked warmth, pop cookie leftovers in a warm oven (around 150°C / 300°F) for 3-5 minutes. This brings back a bit of crispness without drying them out—a trick I swear by during cookie season!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for baking. Just keep an eye on the dough texture—it might need a little adjustment with liquid or chilling time.

Do I have to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling isn’t mandatory, but I recommend it. It helps the dough firm up, which means your cookies hold their shape better in the oven and don’t spread too much. Even 20-30 minutes in the fridge does the trick.

What’s the best way to store decorated cookies?

Once decorated with icing, allow them to dry completely before stacking. Store in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep them at room temperature, away from humidity for best results.

How do I get crispier cookies?

Roll your dough thinner—around ⅛ inch (0.3 cm)—and bake until edges are lightly golden. Using granulated sugar instead of caster sugar can also add to crispiness.

Final Thoughts

This Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s the one I turn to when I want pure, comforting sweetness and the chance to play with flavors and decorations. Baking these cookies is like a little ritual that creates warmth and smiles, and I hope you find as much joy in them as I do.