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 (or salted butter, skip salt); 1 cup caster sugar (or granulated white 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 decoration; Icing sugar for dusting

There’s something truly comforting about the smell of fresh-baked vanilla sugar cookies wafting through the kitchen, isn’t there? This Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe is my go-to whenever I want a classic treat that’s soft, buttery, and just the right amount of sweet. They’re simple, timeless, and perfect for just about any occasion.

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

Every time I bake these vanilla sugar cookies, I’m reminded why they’re such a classic. They strike the perfect balance of buttery richness and delicate vanilla flavor, making them irresistibly cozy and comforting. Plus, you don’t have to be a pro baker to get them right!

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your pantry, making these a no-fuss bake.
Customizable Thickness: Roll them thinner for crispier cookies or thicker for a soft, tender bite.
Perfect For Decorating: These cookies take icing and toppings beautifully—ideal when you want to get creative.
Great For Any Occasion: Whether it's a cozy afternoon or a holiday party, these cookies fit right in.

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

This Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe is all about bringing together familiar ingredients that harmonize beautifully. Each component plays a role in delivering that tender yet sturdy texture and sweet vanilla flavor you crave.

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: Softened butter creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture and lets you control the salt perfectly.
Sugar: Caster or superfine sugar dissolves easily for a smooth dough; granulated works too if you don’t mind a bit of texture.
Vanilla Extract: High-quality vanilla is key—this is what gives the cookies their warm, aromatic signature.
Large Egg: Adds moisture and binds ingredients together while giving a little richness.
Plain (All-Purpose) Flour: The base that provides structure but keeps the cookies tender.
Baking Powder: Gives just enough lift so cookies aren’t dense without turning cakey.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.

📝

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 these vanilla sugar cookies depending on my mood or the season. They’re such a wonderful blank canvas that you can truly make your own.

Variation: Sometimes I add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the dough for a cozy twist during winter—you’ll love how the warm spices complement the vanilla.
Dietary Tweaks: You can swap half the butter with coconut oil for a subtle tropical note and dairy-free option—it’s surprisingly good!
Shape Play: Use different cookie cutters for holidays or special occasions to add a fun touch.
Decorating Fun: Drizzle melted chocolate or sprinkle colored sugar before baking for extra sparkle.

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

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating your softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and creamy—about one minute at medium speed. This step is key because it incorporates air, helping the cookies turn out tender and slightly fluffy. I usually use my stand mixer for ease, but a hand mixer or even a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease works too!

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, add in the egg and your good-quality vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined. Don’t rush—make sure the mixture looks smooth and glossy. This ensures even flavor and texture throughout your dough.

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt separately, then slowly add them to the butter mixture. Start mixing slowly, then increase speed until the flour is just incorporated. Expect a slightly clumpy dough here—that’s normal. Resist overmixing or your cookies might become tough.

Step 4: Chill and Roll Out the Dough

Dump the dough onto a floured surface, pat it together, and split into two discs. Rolling it between two floured sheets of parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier. Roll to about ⅛ inch thickness for a crisp, delicate bite or ¼ inch for soft, cakey cookies. Keep unused dough refrigerated, especially on warm days.

Step 5: Cut Shapes and Bake

Use your favorite cookie cutters to press out shapes, then carefully transfer them to parchment-lined trays. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for about 10 minutes—rotating the trays halfway through helps them bake evenly. Watch for a pale golden color with edges just turning – that’s your cue to take them out. Let the cookies cool completely on the tray to finish baking and firm up.

Top Tip

Over years of baking these vanilla sugar cookies, I’ve learned a few key tips that make all the difference in nailing the perfect texture and flavor every single time.

Even Thickness: Roll your dough to an even thickness with a ruler or rolling pin guides—uneven thickness means uneven baking.
Chill Dough: If your kitchen’s warm, chill dough discs in the fridge for 20 minutes before rolling to avoid sticky mess and better handle.
Swap Trays Mid-Bake: Placing cookie sheets on different oven racks and swapping halfway ensures both bake evenly—don’t skip this step!
Don’t Overbake: Pull cookies out as soon as edges turn light golden; they firm up while cooling and will stay tender.

How to Serve Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

vanilla sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often keep these cookies simple, dusting them lightly with icing sugar for a cozy, snowy look that’s effortlessly elegant. For holidays, I love using royal icing or melting some good-quality chocolate to dip half the cookies—adds a lovely touch of richness and makes them party-ready.

Side Dishes

These vanilla sugar cookies pair wonderfully with a warm mug of spiced tea, hot cocoa topped with marshmallows, or a rich cup of coffee. For an afternoon treat, I like to serve them with a simple fruit salad or a bowl of whipped cream to dip in.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange these cookies on festive platters, layering with fresh sprigs of rosemary or holly for color. Stringing a few on twine as edible gift tags is also a fun twist—people love the charm and effort it shows!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store my leftover vanilla sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They usually stay soft and delicious for about a week. After that, they start to dry out slightly but are still tasty—though I admit, I rarely have leftovers that long!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully both pre- and post-baking. I like to freeze the dough discs wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then thaw and roll when I’m ready. You can also freeze baked cookies layered between parchment sheets in airtight containers—just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If your cookies have lost a bit of their just-baked magic, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave revives softness. Just be careful not to overdo it or they’ll get chewy. Alternatively, warming them gently in a toaster oven for a few minutes works great.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes! If you use salted butter, I recommend leaving out any added salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting your cookies. The difference is subtle but worth noting.

How thick should I roll my dough?

I suggest rolling your dough to between ⅛ inch (0.3 cm) for a crisper cookie and ¼ inch (0.6 cm) for a softer, chewier one. Your choice will depend on personal preference.

Can I make this dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, shape it into discs, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours before rolling and baking. This actually helps develop flavor and improves handling.

What’s the best way to ensure even baking?

Using two baking sheets and swapping their positions halfway through baking helps cookies brown evenly because ovens often heat unevenly. This little step makes a big difference, especially if you’re baking multiple trays.

Final Thoughts

There’s comfort in the familiar few, and these vanilla sugar cookies feel like an old friend who’s always there with a sweet hug. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do—baking and sharing them truly brightens any day. Give this Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe a whirl, and soon you’ll have a batch of charming, buttery cookies that bring smiles all around.