This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my disclosure policy.
Perfect Sugar Cookies – I love sugar cookies. They’re one of my absolute favorites. The only thing I don’t like about them? Rolling the dough.
That’s why this recipe is perfect for me. If you’re a drop-cookie girl like me, they’re perfect for you too!
I’m super excited today. It’s Lisa’s baby shower day!
Almost two years ago I got an email from a reader. She had read my infertility post and wrote to me about it. Of course, touched that someone had taken the time to write me an email, I visited her blog, Wine & Glue. And I never left.
Lisa is one of the most inspirational people I know, and her blog reflects that. Since that email she and I have become fast friends. I know I can count on her anytime I need her. I was even able to meet her last October and from the second she sat down in my car it was nonstop talk until I dropped her back off at her hotel. We didn’t even stop to take a photo!
I am so happy for Lisa and her family and this new little life they’re bringing into the world. Some day soon I hope we can get our kids and husbands together and drink cocktails, eat pie, and eat cookie butter from the jar with a spoon.
Until then, congratulations Lisa! I’d give you a hug if we weren’t so damn far away from each other!
I hope you like these Perfect Sugar Cookies I brought to your shower today!
I’ve made these Perfect Sugar Cookies a few times now. They’re actually based on a recipe in my cookbook (hopefully out this fall). These are the perfect sugar cookies for several reasons:
1. You don’t have to roll them. That means flour stays in your flour bin and does not get all over you, the floor, the counter, and the dog.
2. I put almond extract in them. It’s optional, but wow does it make them good. (FYI, I could drink almond extract…if it tasted like it smelled, that is.)
3. It doesn’t need chilling. I KNOW, right? #soawesome #sounlikeme
4. The frosting makes the Perfect Sugar Cookies. I’m one of those people that is iffy about store-bought sugar cookies because either the cookie together with the frosting is just too much. But these? The cookie is just sweet enough that you could eat it alone, but the sweet frosting makes it perfect.
5. You can load them with sprinkles for any occasion. Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Christmas, pink for a baby shower…
FYI, it’s possible to eat about 6 of these Perfect Sugar Cookies in one sitting, not that I’d know or anything.
They’d be perfect for a baby shower. I know you’d love them Lisa! xoxo
**Update** For a funfetti cookie twist, skip the frosting and add sprinkles to the batter!
Perfect Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract optional
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups flour
For the Frosting:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- Pinch of salt optional
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 5-7 teaspoons milk regular, low-fat, or fat-free
- Sprinkles and/or food coloring if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with silpat liners or parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat in egg and both extracts. (Almond extract is optional, but adds amazing flavor!) Mix in baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Slowly mix in flour. **See note for a fun funfetti twist**
- Scoop 2 tablespoon balls of dough (use a cookie scoop if you have one) onto cookie sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes (10 for slightly underdone, 11-12 for more done). I like to take them out as soon as the bottom starts to turn brown (about 10 minutes for my oven). Cool 5 minutes before removing from cookie sheets. Place on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the frosting: Beat butter until creamy with a hand or a stand mixer. Mix in salt if desired. Slowly add in powdered sugar until mixture is crumbly. (It will be very crumbly if using a hand mixer, more smooth if using a stand mixer.) Add vanilla and 3 teaspoons milk. Mix until the frosting comes together and becomes smooth, adding additional teaspoons of milk as needed for consistency. If you want your frosting to be a color, tint it now.
- Frost cookies and decorate with sprinkles. Store at room temperature loosely covered. Frosting will semi-dry and cookies are stackable but some frosting may transfer.
Recipe Nutrition
Click here to see more of my Christmas cookie recipes!
Please join us in celebrating a virtual baby show from Lisa of Wine and Glue. If you didn’t know already, it’s a girl!
Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake from Back For Seconds
Lemon Icebox Cupcakes from White Lights on Wednesday
Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats from Chocolate, Chocolate and more
Lemon White Chocolate M&M Cookies from Something Swanky
Lemon Strawberry Cookie Cups from Beyond Frosting
Strawberry Shortcake Eclair Cake from Inside BruCrew Life
Strawberry and Jam Buttermilk Coffee Cake from French Press
Perfect Sugar Cookies from Crazy for Crust
No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake In A Jar from Life, Love and Sugar
Roasted Blueberry Tart from Lemons for Lulu
White Chocolate Peeps Cookiewiches from Frugal Foodie Mama
Pistachio Dreamboat Dessert from High Heels and Grills
No-Bake Lemon Berry Cheesecake Mousse Parfait from Happy Food Healthy Life
Creamy Strawberry Pie from Julie’s Eats & Treats
Oatmeal Creme Pie Caramelitas from The Domestic Rebel
Cookie Butter S’Mores Dip from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Baby Quiche Lorraine from Real Housemoms
Raspberry Pretzel Salad from Mom On Timeout
Berry chocolate french toast casserole from Roxana’s Home Baking
Sunrise Cupcakes from Lemon Tree Dwelling
Strawberry Coconut-Lime Icebox Cake from Kitchen Meets Girl
Avocado and Mango Chicken Salad from The Tasty Fork
Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade from {i love} my disorganized life
Spinach Artichoke Dip Appetizer Pizza from Chef in Training
Other fun treats:
Thin Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles
Thanks for reading!
Just wondering, are these cookies soft or crunchy?
Soft with a chewy exterior!
I love the story of how you and Lisa met, that is so sweet and yay for this virtual baby shower. The frosting and sprinkles make these perfect for this special occasion and they really do look like the perfect sugar cookie 🙂 I love that you don’t have to chill or roll them and they still come out nice and thick – pinned 🙂
These are so good! I made these last night for my family and they ate them all in 5 minutes. I have to say that I ate quite a few myself. Thank you for all the recipes. I use them once a week for a treat for my family! Thank you for adding a little sweetness to my week!
They look wonderful! I’m right there with you – love them but hate rolling and cutting. I’ll have to try these next. Thanks!
Dorothy, I’m SO incredibly happy for you to have found such a sweet friend! It’s hard to live far apart from each other, but with how kind and thoughtful you are, Lisa will definitely love and appreciate your gorgeous cookies. Almond extract is my favorite thing ever! Back when I was a chemist, I worked with this chemical called benzaldehyde, and it smelled exactly like almond extract. I would always take an extra long time measuring out the liquid and putting the cap back on the jar. It’s still my favorite scent! If only they made a perfume that smelled like almond extract…
Featured In
Rate This Recipe
Recipe Ratings without Comment