Slice and Bake Sugar Cookies

Tips & Variations-
Here’s what you’ll need for these sugar cookies-
Here’s how to make these cookies-
Slice and Bake Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are a classic that everyone loves! This slice and bake recipe is super easy and makes a buttery tender cookie that is perfect for frosting, sprinkles or just the way they are!

A pile of sugar cookies on a white plate.

When my kids were little they loved to “help” me make cookies. One of the easiest ways to make cookies quickly and easily was to grab a roll of slice and bake dough at that store and let them help me cut it and arrange the slices. They were a quick way to make cookies that didn’t lose their interest half way through.

As they’ve grown our cooking and baking projects have gotten more involved but there are times where the simplicity of that slice and bake dough is great. No scooping or rolling into balls, no rolling out and cookie cutters, just slice, bake and enjoy! But with homemade dough instead of store bought! I love that you can make this dough and dress these cookies up as much or as little as you’d like! This will quickly become your favorite sugar cookie recipe because of how delicious and simple they are to make!

This easy sugar cookie recipe is perfect for Christmas, birthday parties or any occasion. You can add sprinkles of any color, or fun frosting to go with any holiday or celebration!

They are also perfect for a Tuesday afternoon, make up the dough while the kids are at school and then slice and bake cookies when they get home!!

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A pile of sugar cookies on white plate

Tips & Variations-

Here are a few tips to make sure you’re cookie baking is successful, also some different ways you can make these cookies!

Leave time to chill- This cookie dough needs to chill for at least an hour before baking, make sure to plan ahead! You can make this a few days ahead of time too so it is ready to bake when you are! If you are refrigerating it for over a few hours make sure to wrap it in a layer of plastic wrap to keep it fresh!

Make them chocolate– Want a delicious chocolate sugar cookie? To make chocolate dough just swap out 1/2 to 3/4 cups of flour for cocoa powder. 1/2 a cup will be a more mild chocolate taste and 3/4 will make it stronger.

Roll the dough in sprinkles- Want a simple and easy way to decorate these cookies? Before refrigerating roll your cookie dough logs in sprinkles. This is an easy way to make Christmas cookies or decorate them for any occasion!

Make colored cookies– Want to bake colorful cookies? Use gel food coloring to dye this sugar cookie dough any color! You can even separate it and create multiple colors with one batch! You can use red food coloring for Valentine’s day, green for St. Patrick’s Day, or make these cookies with blue or purple dough just for fun!

Don’t overbake- These cookies are a delightful texture but you don’t want to overbake them! Make sure to remove them from the oven when they are lightly golden around the edges and appear dry on the top. They will continue to set as they cool on the tray and then completely once cooled on a wire rack .

Use different extract– This delicious sugar cookie has a classic vanilla flavor but you can use a different extract to create a different flavor. Almond extract is delicious in these cookies, or you could use maple, hazelnut, lemon or even peppermint!

Add frosting– These cookie are delicious plain but can be frosted for more flavor! You can use buttercream or royal icing to add another layer of tastiness!

a pile of sugar cookies on a white plate, there is gingerbread man mug in the background.

Here’s what you’ll need for these sugar cookies-

Butter– Make sure it is softened to room temperature before you get started. You can use salted or unsalted, whichever you prefer.

Flour- All purpose flour is perfect for these cookies.

Granulated Sugar- You can use white sugar or cane sugar, I usually use cane sugar but both work beautifully.

Brown Sugar- Make sure to pack it to measure it. It makes these cookies have a nice rich flavor.

Egg– Use a fresh large egg.

Vanilla– Use real vanilla extract.

Salt– Regular table salt, or sea salt works well

Baking Powder– This helps the cookies have a nice texture, make sure that it is fresh so that it works well.

a collage of four pictures of a kitchen aid mixer with cookie dough in the bowl showing the steps for making the dough.

Here’s how to make these cookies-

First, in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter until light and fluffy. Use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.

Add in granulated sugar and brown sugar and continue mixing until well incorporated. Add in vanilla and egg and continue mixing.

In a separate medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture mixing after each addition until all of the flour mixture is incorporated.

Place the dough in the center of a piece of wax paper or parchment paper form into cylinder with a diameter of about 2 inches. Wrap the dough log in wax or parchment paper and place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour before baking.

A collage of four pictures. The first shows a clump of dough on a piece of wax paper. The second shows a cylinder of dough wrapped in wax paper. The third shows dough being sliced on a wooden chopping block, the fourth shows circles of cookie dough on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

When your dough has chilled and you are ready to bake preheat the oven to 350 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

Using a sharp knife slice the dough in 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch slices place them on the prepared baking sheet about 1-2 inches apart.

Bake for 10-14 minutes or until the edges are a light golden brown and the center appears dry.

Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container.

Sugar cookies are a classic that everyone loves! This slice and bake recipe is super easy and makes a buttery tender cookie that is perfect for frosting, sprinkles or just the way they are! When my kids were little they loved to “help” me make cookies. One of the easiest ways to make cookies quickly […]

Slice and Bake Sugar Cookies

Yield: 40 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Additional Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Sugar cookies are a classic that everyone loves! This slice and bake recipe is super easy and makes a buttery tender cookie that is perfect for frosting, sprinkles or just the way they are!

Ingredients

2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
½ tsp Salt
1 Cup Butter (softened)
½ Cup White Sugar
½ Cup Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 tsp Vanilla

Instructions

First, in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter until light and fluffy. Use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
Add in granulated sugar and brown sugar and continue mixing until well incorporated. Add in vanilla and egg and continue mixing.
In a separate medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture mixing after each addition until all of the flour mixture is incorporated.
Place the dough in the center of a piece of wax paper or parchment paper form into cylinder with a diameter of about 2 inches. Wrap the dough log in wax or parchment paper and place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour before baking.
When your dough has chilled and you are ready to bake preheat the oven to 350 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Using a sharp knife slice the dough in 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch slices place them on the prepared baking sheet about 1-2 inches apart.
Bake for 10-14 minutes or until the edges are a light golden brown and the center appears dry.
Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container.