The one I’m sharing with you today is, by far, the most versatile and comprehensive recipe for Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough out there!
You can make just about anything using this Sugar Cookie Dough because it truly is the perfect base. It’s definitely easier to whip this up than to even head out and get ready-made sugar cookie dough from the grocery store.
All it takes is 10 minutes to make it yourself. And what’s best is that you can even freeze it for up to a month!
By making a batch of it and freezing it, you’ll be able to make the tastiest sugar cookies just about any time you want! It truly results in the perfect sugar cookie recipe each time!
I love making this recipe and then storing it in the refrigerator to plan for a holiday in advance. It makes it so much easier to have the most delicious sugar cookies whenever you want.
Interested in learning how to make this delicious Sugar Cookie Dough? Then keep on reading!
Table of Contents
- What is Sugar Cookie Dough?
- What Can You Make Using Sugar Cookie Dough?
- What’s So Special About This Sugar Cookie Dough?
- What You Need to Make Sugar Cookie Dough
- How to Make Sugar Cookie Dough (Step-by-Step)
- How to Make Ahead and Store
- Tips to Make the Best Sugar Cookie Dough
- Can This Recipe Be Used to Make Cut-Out Sugar Cookies?
- Serving Suggestions for Sugar Cookie Dough
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Similar Recipes You'll Love
- Recipes to Use Sugar Cookie Dough
- Recipe Card
- The Perfect Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough (Ready in 10 Mins!)
- Comments
What is Sugar Cookie Dough?
Sugar Cookie Dough is the cookie dough you use to make sugar cookies! It’s the cookie dough to use to make delicious cookies that you can shape by hand or roll out using a rolling pin and cutting into shapes with a cookie cutter.
They’re commonly decorated with some more sugar, icing, sprinkles, or a combination of all of these! This Sugar Cookie Dough makes the most delicious and tasty sugar cookies that you can have during any holiday!
They’re perfect to use to make Christmas cookies or Easter cookies. You can even use this for kid’s birthday parties (kids truly love them!) or for your mother on Mother’s Day.
Regardless of which way you want to go about it, this sugar cookie dough is extremely versatile and foolproof! What’s great is that you can use it to make a variety of different types of cookie shapes, and even add some ingredients to it to customize it according to your palate.
Want to know what you can make using this Sugar Cookie Dough? Keep on reading!
What Can You Make Using Sugar Cookie Dough?
This Sugar Cookie Dough is incredibly versatile and you can make just about any kind of sugar cookie you can imagine!
You can also add a few other ingredients to it to convert it into whatever flavor you’re looking for. This recipe is the perfect base for just about anything. Here are a few variation ideas along with the classic choices:
- Classic Sugar Cookies: Use this to make the best Sugar Cookie recipe ever by shaping the dough into flat disks and baking it in your oven.
- Dessert Pizzas: Whip up some delicious cream cheese frosting and layer it with fruits to make mouthwatering Dessert Pizzas by using this recipe.
- Cut-out Sugar Cookies: Make the most delicious cut-out sugar cookies with this perfect sugar cookie dough.
- Holiday Cookies: Want to make some holiday cookies? Cut out using a cookie cutter, decorate this dough, and bake it to get the perfect ones every single time!
- Cookies with Frosting: You can add some frosting to it, such as buttercream frosting or even royal icing to make it even more festive.
- Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies: Add some chocolate chips to the Sugar Cookie Dough to turn it into some chocolate chip sugar cookies.
- Birthday Cookies: You can also make it look pretty for a kid’s birthday party by adding some rainbow sprinkles to it before baking the cookies.
- Almond Flavored: Want to vary the flavor a bit? Add a bit of almond extract to the dough for a little subtle flavor.
- Lemon Flavored: Another idea is to add a little lemon zest and/or lemon extract to make these into lightly lemon-flavored sugar cookies. No, seriously, this recipe is so versatile that you can even do that!
- Cookies with Nuts: You can also try it with some chopped nuts topped off on the cut-out cookies using this Sugar Cookie Dough.
These are just some of the many things you can do using this absolutely perfect Sugar Cookie Dough!
What’s So Special About This Sugar Cookie Dough?
Versatile: This dough is perfect for any shape or size of sugar cookies you want to make. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create fun shapes, perfect for any occasion. Plus, you can easily add in extras like chocolate chips or sprinkles to customize them to your liking.
Delicious: The best part is that the flavor is out of this world. You’ll get an irresistible buttery vanilla flavor with this dough that is at the right level of sweetness.
Perfect for Cut-Out Cookies: The dough also holds its shape really well which is perfect for cut-out cookies that you want to shape into perfect shapes.
Great Texture: The cookies you bake using this dough will stay soft and delicious for days! Plus, you’ll get cookies with a soft and thick center but slightly crisp edges that taste incredible.
Freezes Well: This sugar cookie dough also freezes beautifully for up to one month, so you can thaw it and bake cookies just about whenever you want!
What You Need to Make Sugar Cookie Dough
Making this sugar cookie dough is incredibly easy! All you need is pantry-staple ingredients, and you’ll have it done in no time. Let's look at what these ingredients are:
- All-purpose flour: The flour you need to make this tasty Sugar Cookie Dough is just plain ol’ all-purpose flour. See, I told you that you’ll only need pantry staples to make this!
- Sugar: Sugar cookies can’t be sugar cookies without some sugar, right? We’ll be using one cup of sugar for this recipe which is less than other recipes and keeps calories relatively lower.
- Baking soda: By adding baking soda to the cookie dough, it’ll help release carbon dioxide gas which then helps leaven the dough creating soft, fluffy cookies. It also helps make the recipe versatile, because you can then add acidic ingredients to it to change things up, such as lemon zest.
- Baking powder: This is going to be our main leaving agent apart from baking soda.
- Eggs: We’ll be adding two large eggs to the recipe. The eggs work to make this recipe versatile! Adding eggs will later allow you to shape the cookies to whichever shape you like without them completely collapsing when it’s being baked as the eggs help them keep shape.
- Butter: We’ll be using softened, room-temperature unsalted butter. Butter helps make the cookies tender as it coats some of the flour and prevents gluten formation in the cookies. This makes your cookies more tender and less chewy, which is perfect for the classic sugar cookie flavor!
- Vanilla extract: We’ll add just a little vanilla extract to bring out all the flavors.
- Sea Salt: You’ll only need to add a little salt but this will balance out all your flavors and even help enhance them.
How to Make Sugar Cookie Dough (Step-by-Step)
Even if you’ve never made sugar cookie dough before, my step-by-step instructions will make this process incredibly easy for you. All it takes is 10 minutes and you’ll have the perfect sugar cookie dough.
Let’s look at how to make it step-by-step:
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
First things first, you need to measure out your dry ingredients. This typically includes purpose flour, baking powder, and one-fourth teaspoon salt.
To make sure that everything is evenly mixed, combine all these ingredients together using a whisk.
This step is essential to achieving the perfect texture in your cookies.
Step 2: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Now, sift the dry ingredients into the bowl of your stand mixer, or if you're using an electric hand mixer, into a separate large bowl.
Then, add granulated sugar, room temperature unsalted butter, eggs, and a splash of vanilla extract to the bowl.
The butter should be softened for easier mixing, and the vanilla extract adds that classic sugar cookie taste.
Step 3: Mix Your Dough
Next, it is time to let the mixer do its magic. Attach the dough hook attachment to your mixer and set it to the lowest speed.
Allow it to knead the dough for about five minutes.
Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl every minute or so to guarantee that all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Step 4: Prepare Dough for Use
Once your dough is thoroughly mixed, remove it from the bowl and knead it into a ball on a clean surface.
You can divide the dough into as many pieces as you want, depending on how many cookies you plan to make.
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Your sugar cookie dough is now ready to be transformed into delicious cookies!
Simply shape it with your hands or cookie cutters and place the cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
They're now ready to be baked in the preheated oven.
Step 6: Storing the Dough
If you're not planning to use the dough immediately, you can keep it refrigerated for up to two days.
Just make sure to cover it with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
Alternatively, you can also put the dough into a Ziploc bag and freeze it for up to a month.
And there you have it! You're now equipped with the knowledge to make perfect sugar cookie dough every time. Happy baking!
How to Make Ahead and Store
This recipe is perfect if you want to prep ahead of time and use this to bake cookies whenever you’re in the mood. If you’re going to use it in the near future, then you can cover it with plastic wrap and pop it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
In case you want to freeze it instead, you can definitely do that! Place the sugar cookie dough into a Ziploc bag and pop it in the freezer for up to one month.
When you want to use it, just thaw the dough in the refrigerator or leave it on the kitchen counter for a couple of hours. It definitely won’t affect the flavor and you’ll still get the tastiest sugar cookies ever!
Tips to Make the Best Sugar Cookie Dough
Here are some tips to use this Sugar Cookie Dough and to make sure it always turns out perfect when you make it:
- Measure out your cookies: When shaping your cookies by hand, use a kitchen scale or cookie scoop to guarantee that each cookie is the same size and bakes evenly.
- Test your oven: Bake a test cookie to determine the perfect baking time and to identify any hot spots in your oven.
- Freeze for future use: Make this sugar cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it. This way, you can bake cookies whenever you’re in the mood!
- Use quality ingredients: For the best sugar cookie dough, use high-quality ingredients like real vanilla extract and high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature.
- Don’t overmix your dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined for a tender, chewy texture.
Can This Recipe Be Used to Make Cut-Out Sugar Cookies?
Yes, you absolutely can! Since this recipe includes eggs, the dough binds really well and the cookies don’t crumble when you cut them out using a cookie cutter.
So feel free to use whichever cookie cutter you want to shape them into whatever you have in mind!
Serving Suggestions for Sugar Cookie Dough
- This sugar cookie dough is perfect for a DIY cookie decoration party. Just bake the cookies, let them cool, and set out different colors of frosting and sprinkles for your guests to decorate their own cookies.
- For a fun and festive Christmas treat, use this dough with holiday-themed cookie cutters to create adorable Christmas cookies. Don't forget to sprinkle some granulated sugar on top before baking for that extra sparkle!
- Why not enjoy a warm, freshly baked cookie with your morning coffee? A cookie made from this dough will give a sweet start to your day.
- For dessert, try sandwiching a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two freshly baked cookies from this dough. The contrast between the cold, creamy ice cream and the warm, chewy cookies is simply divine!
- These cookies are also perfect for a bake sale or a school event. Just bake the cookies, let them cool on a rack, and pack them in a beautiful box. They're sure to be a hit!
- For a cookie with a twist, try adding some chocolate chips or nuts to the dough before baking. The added texture and flavor will make these cookies even more irresistible.
- These cookies also make a lovely homemade gift. Just bake a batch, let them cool, and pack them in a pretty box or tin. Add a personal note for that extra special touch!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely, yes! This recipe is perfect for cut-out sugar cookies. The incorporation of eggs in the recipe guarantees that the dough binds well and the cookies retain their shape after being cut with cookie cutters.
Not necessarily. This sugar cookie dough can be used right away. However, if you're not planning on using it immediately, you can refrigerate it for up to two days. Make sure to cover it with plastic wrap to keep it fresh.
If you're shaping the cookies by hand, use a kitchen scale or a cookie scoop to make sure that each cookie is of the same size. This helps them bake at the same rate, leading to perfectly baked cookies every time.
To know the exact baking time, start with a test cookie. This will not only give you an idea of how long it takes to bake but also help you figure out if your oven has any hot spots.
Yes, you can experiment with other flavors. You can add almond extract or a zest of citrus fruits for a refreshing taste. Just make sure to add it in moderation to not overpower the basic flavor of the cookies.
Similar Recipes You'll Love
Recipes to Use Sugar Cookie Dough
- Quick and Easy S'mores Pizza (Perfect Classic Flavors)
- Perfect Dessert Pizza Recipe (with Strawberries and Kiwis!)
Recipe Card
The Perfect Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough (Ready in 10 Mins!)
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookie Dough
- 3 cups – all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. – baking soda
- 1 tsp. – baking powder
- ¼ tsp. – salt
- 2 large – eggs
- 1 cup – sugar
- 8 oz. – unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 tsp. – pure vanilla extract
Instructions
How to Make Sugar Cookie Dough
- Start by measuring out the dry ingredients. Combine all the ingredients using a whisk.
- Now sift the dry ingredients into your stand mixer’s bowl or into a separate large bowl if you’re using an electric hand mixer. Then add sugar, softened unsalted butter, eggs, and vanilla to the bowl.
- Next, attach the dough hook attachment and let the mixer do the rest of the job for you by mixing the flour mixture. At the lowest speed, let it knead the dough for about 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl every minute or so.
- Once done, remove the dough from the bowl onto a working surface and knead it into a ball. You may divide the dough into as many pieces as you want. Use what you need now and freeze the rest for later. No need to chill the dough if you're planning to use it right away.
- Your Sugar Cookie Dough is ready to use and turn into any delicious sugar cookie you want! Just shape it into whatever you like, and place it on a baking sheet or cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat before popping it into the oven.
- If it's needed in the near future, you may keep it refrigerated for up to two days after covering it with a plastic wrap or place it into a Ziploc bag and freeze it for up to a month.
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This recipe was originally posted on August 8, 2016 (original picture below). I updated the pictures and the post for a better user experience. This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
Stephanie says
Call me crazy but isn’t the oven temp and cooking time missing I keep reading over and over and don’t see it?
Valya's Taste of Home says
LOL! No, you're not. This recipe is for cookie dough not sugar cookies, so the baking instruction and temp does not include in this recipe. I do have the baking temp and time somewhere in comments though. Check out actual sugar cookie recipe for details: https://www.valyastasteofhome.com/snowflake-cookies/ or https://www.valyastasteofhome.com/frosted-sugar-cookies/. Thanks:)
betty boop says
I'm not a big baker, but these were so easy to put together. I used white and red sanding sugar on them, they are all stars. Will probably make again.
Valya's Taste of Home says
Thank you for your feedback and amazing review! 🙂
Veronica says
I made this with my 3 year old daughter and it was so easy and fun. Perfect cookies for Christmas morning, thank you!
Valya's Taste of Home says
You are most welcome!
Brenda Galvan says
What temperature and how long do you bake at
Valya's Taste of Home says
350 F for about 10 minutes, depending on the oven's strength.
Nadine C says
I would like to know how this recipe can be made and come out this great with out eggs. I hate when that my allergy kids have to miss out on cookies like this.
Valya's Taste of Home says
I would try substituting eggs with egg replacement. There are a lot of options out there.
Hannah says
How many cookies will one batch make? I’ve never made sugar cookies before so I want to know everything before I do something wrong!😂
Valya's Taste of Home says
It depends on the cookie size you will be making. Roughly I would say about 50 cookies.
Sheila Mobley says
I make these cookies every year for my grandkids to decorate for Christmas. I just made five batches of dough for my grands and my goddaughters kids to have at home for decorating, since they can't come to my house. They are so easy to do and taste delicious! I bought cookie cutters, frosting, sprinkles and mini rolling pins. They will have a good time making these delicious cookies. Thanks for a wonderful recipe. We all love it, kids and adults. 🙂
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you kindly for such an amazing five-star review!
Ania says
Thank you so much for the recipe Valya, I and my kids loved working with the dough, did it all by hands, simple and didnt have mess. Just want to say they're one of best cookies I ever tried!
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
I'm so happy to hear that! My kids and I love working with this recipe very much too! Thank you for the amazing review!
Kate says
I enjoyed making these sugar cookies with my 3 yr old daughter who had a great time using christmas cookie cutter shapes to make beautiful sugar cookies. This is a keeper recipe. I like how the sugar cookies were not overly sweet so they paired well with vanilla buttercream frosting. I also shared these cookies with both sides of my family and they both asked for your recipe. ????????I did end up baking them a little longer this for about 15-17 min... have a wonderful Christmas and thank you for your recipes Valya????????????
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
Wow..., I'm so glad you liked the recipe. What's important is you had an awesome bonding time baking together with your daughter and making lifelong memories. Thank you for sharing my recipe with your family, I really appreciated. Have a Very Merry Christmas Kate!
Kate says
Hello Valya, I don't see the temp for these cookies or how long to bake them at? also do grease your cookie sheet ?
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
Just like regular sugar cookies, 35O F for about 10 minutes or until light golden brown in color depends on the oven.
Natasha says
Hello! I was wondering about flour measurements. It says 3cups then 360grams , isn't 3cups more then 360 grams, or did I miss something?
Thank you.
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
1 cup of flour roughly weights 120 g (some say 125 grams, but that doesn't make a big difference). So, 3 cups of flour equal to 360 grams. I hope that helps. Did you have a problem with the recipe?
Julie says
Hi Valya!
Thanks so much for this amazing recipe! my daughters and i made 3 batches! It was for the cookie decorating get-together for my daughter's friends. I made frosting recipes and bought a ton of sprinkles and the guests along with my kids made amazing looking and tasting cooies , they ate as much as they wanted and even took some home!
Very easy and tasty! 5 *****
www.valyastasteofhome.com says
Hi Julie!
That is awesome!!! This is the only cookie dough recipe I use for my kids to make cookies as well. Thank you for an amazing review! 🙂
Emmi says
Going to try your sugar cookie recipe today.
Do the cookies work as cut out shapes and actually hold their shape?
www.valyastasteofhome.com says
Yes, they are great for cut out cookies.
Lana says
Thank You so much Valya for such a great sugar cookie recipe! It was so simple to make the dough with my girls and then they had so much fun shaping and playing with it like play dough! And when we finally baked them, they were super soft and delicious! My kiddos said they were definitely better than store bought!
valyastasteofhome.com says
You are so very welcome Lana! Kid's (and adults;) absolutely love working with this dough. I'm so happy to hear that you had a great time with your kiddos. And thank you for sharing your experience with me! 🙂
Julie says
Thanks for an amazing recipe for cutout cookies!! My 13 year old made 5 batches so far!!! They are yummy and easy to make!! Thank you!!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
You are very welcome! Enjoy!
Alicia says
What degree and time do these cook at?
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Just like regular sugar cookies. 35O F (180 C) for about 10 minutes depending on the oven.
Tracy says
Thanks for asking, I had the same question!!
Inna says
Hello ?
Made some sugar cookies with my toddlers today using your cookie dough recipe. It was a little messy but kids loved it!! Some cookies were thick, others too thin.. lol I even caught them eating the dough at one point.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I'm glad you guys had fun. My kids love to play with this dough, and they eat it too. I love spending time cooking with kids, even though it turns out not perfect and messy, lol. 🙂
Ela says
What kind flour did you use? Canadian?
Thank you!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I used All-purpose flour. Thanks for asking 🙂
Julie says
Very awesome dough recipe. Here are a few tips that I discovered along the way as I was making it:
1) Sift the flour, baking soda, & baking powder into the KitchenAid mixing bowl.
2) Add the salt & mix the dry ingredients together with a whisker.
3) Add sugar, softened butter, eggs & vanilla.
4) Attach the dough hook attachment and let the mixer do the rest of the job for you.
This way you will only have 1 bowl to wash. Also, the salt does not go thru the sifter - so it's important to add the salt right into the KitchenAid bowl.
Also when you post the ingredient measurements, for the salt - it's teaspoon. ¼ tsp. salt.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Good catch Julie. I added tsp. to salt measurement. I had no problem sifting salt. Great idea to sift straight into a mixer bowl. Thanks for your comment.
Victoria says
This dough is so soft & easy to work with! Also it's so easy & fast to make it! Thank you @Valya'sTasteOfHome for another amazing recipe!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Thank you for the review dear 🙂 I'm glad you liked this dough recipe.
Yelena says
I made these with my kiddos and they really enjoyed making them and eating them! So soft and delicious, much easier than my previous recipe I used. Thank you Valya!! 🙂
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I'm so glad to hear that Yelena. I know what you mean; I've tried many sugar cookie dough recipes and they were either dry or hard. I created my own recipe and we do love it so much too. I really appreciate your feedback. 🙂