Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, these Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies bring back the taste of homemade goodness. Made with simple pantry staples, they’re a timeless treat for any occasion.
Thereโs something comforting about a batch of old-fashioned sugar cookies fresh from the oven. With their golden edges, soft centers, and delicate sweetness, theyโre the kind of cookie that brings back memories of home baking and holiday traditions just like mom and Grandma used to make.
Made with just a few basic ingredients, these cookies are simple, reliable, and always a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for any time of year.
If you prefer the ones you roll out and make with cookie cutters, we make these Christmas Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe and they are so pretty for Christmas cookies.
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients โ You likely already have everything you need, making this an easy go-to recipe.
- Perfect texture โ The balance of sugar, butter, and flour creates cookies that are soft in the center with lightly crisp edges.
- Customizable โ Roll in sugar, add sprinkles, or frost them for holidays and special occasions.
- Tried-and-true โ This recipe sticks to the basics, delivering that classic old-fashioned flavor everyone loves.
Ingredients
- Butter. Use unsalted butter, softened at room temperature, for a smooth, creamy dough and rich flavor.
- Large Eggs. Bring eggs to room temperature before mixing. They blend more easily and help create a uniform texture.
- Vanilla Extract. Use pure vanilla extract (not imitation) for the best, classic flavor.
- Milk. Whole milk is ideal, adding moisture and richness to the dough.
- All-Purpose Flour. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off. Donโt scoop directly from the bag, as that can pack the flour and lead to dry cookies.
Find the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Add Sprinkles. Roll the dough in colored sprinkles before baking or decorate the tops after baking for a festive touch. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or themed parties.
- Frosted Sugar Cookies. Add a layer of frosting for extra flavor and softness. Use store-bought frosting or try a simple Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. A dusting of powdered sugar also works for a more subtle finish.
- Frosting + Sprinkles. This combo is always a favorite with kids! Frost the cookies and top with colorful sprinkles for a fun, celebratory look.
- Food Coloring. Add a few drops of food coloring to the dough or frosting to match any theme or occasion. Think red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or school colors for events.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Combine the butter and sugar with an electric mixer or a stand mixer in a large bowl. Then add in the eggs, milk and vanilla extract. Get out a separate mixing bowl. Mix together the dry ingredients. Then gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
Step 2. Cover and chill the sugar cookie dough for at least 2 hours.ย Use a cookie scoop to drop the cookie dough onto a prepared baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mats into round balls.ย Flatten the cookie dough out slightly by using the bottom of a glass dipped in granulated sugar.ย Then bake for 12-15 minutes until the cookies are slightly golden brown.ย
Step 3. Let the cookies sit on the cookie sheets for 5 minutes. Then move the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 4. Serve on a platter and enjoy.
Storage
Room Temperature:
Store the cookies in an airtight container or plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep them away from direct sunlight or heat to maintain their texture.
Refrigerator:
If your cookies are frosted (especially with cream cheese frosting), store them in the fridge in a sealed container. Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving for best texture.
Freezer (Baked Cookies):
Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Theyโll keep well for up to 2โ3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Freezer (Cookie Dough):
You can also freeze the dough. Scoop into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then store in a freezer-safe container. Bake straight from frozen and just add 1โ2 minutes to the bake time.
Tips and Tricks
- Donโt Overbake. Bake just until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly soft, but the cookies will continue to set as they cool.
- Avoid Overmixing. Mix the dough until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of soft and tender ones.
- Let Cookies Rest Before Moving. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Moving them too soon can cause them to break or crumble.
- Use a Cookie Scoop. A cookie scoop makes it easy to portion the dough evenly, ensuring consistent size and even baking.
More Easy Cookie Recipes
- Chocolate dipped sugar cookies
- Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
- Butter Cookies Recipe
Give this recipe a try and leave a comment and star rating please. I love hearing from you.
Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup Butter softened at room temperature
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs at room temperature
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 Tbsp Milk
- 3 cups All Purpose Flour
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Beat together the butter and sugar with a hand held mixer or a stand up mixer.ย Then add in the eggs, milk and vanilla extract.ย Mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt.
- Then gradually stir the dry ingredients (flour mixture) into the wet ingredients (butter mixture) until a dough forms.ย Cover and chill the dough for at least 2 hours.
- Then preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Use a teaspoon or cookie scoop to drop the cookie dough onto a prepared baking sheet into round balls.ย Flatten the cookie dough out slightly by using the bottom of a glass dipped in granulated sugar.
- Then bake for 12-15 minutes until the cookies are slightly golden brown.ย Make sure to rotate the baking sheets halfway through the baking time to ensure that the cookies are baked evenly.
- Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.ย Then move the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
