I love making cookies that bring a smile, and nothing beats a good sugar cookie. Today, I’m sharing two fantastic sugar cookie recipes that you’ll want to bake again and again.
Whether you’re looking for a bright, citrusy treat or a classic, soft cookie, I have something special for you right here. These recipes are simple and sure to be a hit!
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Bright and Zesty Lemon Sugar Cookies
These lemon sugar cookies have a wonderful citrus flavor that really shines through. They are soft and chewy, making them a truly happy snack.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Lemon Cookies
- Fresh Lemon Zest: Only use the yellow part of the lemon peel for the best flavor without any bitterness. It makes a big difference!
- Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is truly soft for a smooth dough that mixes well. This helps the cookies bake evenly.
What You Need for Lemon Sugar Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: extra sugar for rolling
⏱️ Time: 30 mins prep, 10 mins bake🍽️ Yields: 24 cookies
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep Oven and Dry Mix
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Make sure it’s all mixed well, then set this dry mix aside.
Step 2: Cream Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until they look light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then add the fresh lemon zest and lemon juice, mixing until everything is well combined.
Step 3: Combine and Chill Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend and makes the dough easier to handle.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. If you like, roll each ball in extra granulated sugar for a sparkly finish. Place the cookie balls about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden.
📝 Final Note on Lemon Cookies
Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and keeps them from breaking.
Classic Melt In Your Mouth Sugar Cookies
These classic sugar cookies truly live up to their name – they are incredibly soft and tender. A truly simple and sweet cookie that’s always a winner.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Soft Sugar Cookies
- Powdered Sugar Magic: Using powdered sugar in the dough helps create that extra soft and tender texture you want.
- Chill the Dough: This is a must! Chilling the dough keeps these cookies from spreading too much while they bake, keeping their nice shape.
What You Need for Melt In Your Mouth Sugar Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
⏱️ Time: 25 mins prep, 12 mins bake🍽️ Yields: 30 cookies
How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is fully combined.
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix, just combine.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. This step is important; it makes the dough much easier to handle and prevents your cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the bottoms are lightly golden. 📝 Final Note on Soft CookiesFor the softest cookies, you can slightly underbake them so they are still very pale in the center. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.