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    Home > Desserts > Cookies

    The Perfect Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough (Ready in 10 Mins!)

    Published: Apr 22, 2022 by Valya's Taste of Home · 39 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    The one I’m sharing with you today is, by far, the most versatile and comprehensive recipe for 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.

    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?
    • Similar Recipes
    • Recipe Card
    • 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:

    • Use this to make the best Sugar Cookie recipe ever by shaping the dough into flat disks and baking it in your oven.
    • Whip up some delicious cream cheese frosting and layer it with fruits to make mouthwatering Dessert Pizzas by using this recipe.
    • Make the most delicious cut-out sugar cookies with this perfect sugar cookie dough.
    • Want to make some holiday cookies? Cut-out using a cookie cutter and decorate this dough and bake it to get the perfect ones every single time!
    • You can add some frosting to it, such as a buttercream frosting or even royal icing to make it even more festive.
    • Add some chocolate chips to the Sugar Cookie Dough to turn it into some chocolate chip sugar 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.
    • Want to vary the flavor a bit? Add a bit of almond extract to the dough for a little subtle flavor.
    • 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!
    • 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?

    This Sugar Cookie Dough is absolutely incredible. As you can see from the previous section, it’s really versatile and can give you whatever kinds of sugar cookies you want.

    But apart from that, 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.

    Whether you leave it plain or you add a few variations to it, from the ideas I mentioned in the previous section, it’s going to taste perfect every time.

    The dough also holds its shape really well which is perfect for cut-out cookies that you want to shape into perfect shapes.

    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 which taste incredible.

    This sugar cookie dough also freezes beautifully for up to one month, and 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 when for the classic sugar cookie flavor!

    Vanilla extract: We’ll add just a little vanilla extract to bring out all the flavors.

    Salt: You’ll only need to add a little salt but this will balance out all your flavors and even help enhance them.

    Easy Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough Recipe

    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:

    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.

    Easy Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough Recipe

    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.

    Easy Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough Recipe

    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.

    Easy Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough Recipe

    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 a 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!

    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 a plastic wrap and pop it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

    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:

    • If you’re using the cookies by hand, you can measure out each cookie with a kitchen scale or use a cookie scoop to make sure each cookie is the same size and bakes at the same rate.
    • When baking cookies in the oven using this sugar cookie dough, I recommend starting with a test cookie to know exactly how long it’ll take to bake it. It’ll also help you figure out if your oven has any hot spots!
    • Make this sugar cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it so you can bake cookies using this dough whenever you’re in the mood!

    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!

    Similar Recipes

    • Homemade Pizza 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.

    Recipe Card

    The Perfect Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough (Ready in 10 Mins!)

    This Easy Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough Recipe requires less than 10 minutes to make, and can be used to make a variety of different types of sugar cookies!
    4.46 from 106 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Cookies
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: easy sugar cookie recipe, homemade sugar cookie dough, no-fail sugar cookies
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 4 lbs
    Author: Valya's Taste of Home

    Ingredients

    Sugar Cookie Dough Ingredients

    • 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 (Step-by-Step)

    • 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 9, 2016. I tweaked it a bit including tips and tricks on making the perfect sugar cookie dough you'll love! This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.

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    Comments

    1. Veronica says

      December 25, 2022 at 9:27 am

      5 stars
      I made this with my 3 year old daughter and it was so easy and fun. Perfect cookies for Christmas morning, thank you!

      Reply
      • Valya's Taste of Home says

        December 26, 2022 at 8:09 pm

        You are most welcome!

        Reply
      • Brenda Galvan says

        December 29, 2022 at 9:00 am

        What temperature and how long do you bake at

        Reply
        • Valya's Taste of Home says

          December 29, 2022 at 9:45 pm

          350 F for about 10 minutes, depending on the oven's strength.

          Reply
    2. Nadine C says

      August 30, 2022 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Valya's Taste of Home says

        August 31, 2022 at 8:53 pm

        I would try substituting eggs with egg replacement. There are a lot of options out there.

        Reply
    3. Hannah says

      December 16, 2021 at 7:55 am

      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!😂

      Reply
      • Valya's Taste of Home says

        December 16, 2021 at 1:50 pm

        It depends on the cookie size you will be making. Roughly I would say about 50 cookies.

        Reply
    4. Sheila Mobley says

      December 14, 2020 at 9:08 am

      5 stars
      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. 🙂

      Reply
      • Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says

        December 14, 2020 at 7:34 pm

        I am so happy to hear that! Thank you kindly for such an amazing five-star review!

        Reply
    5. Ania says

      December 27, 2019 at 3:39 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says

        December 28, 2019 at 2:42 pm

        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!

        Reply
    6. Kate says

      December 13, 2018 at 7:02 am

      5 stars
      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????????‍????

      Reply
      • Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says

        December 13, 2018 at 5:17 pm

        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!

        Reply
    7. Kate says

      December 10, 2018 at 4:24 pm

      Hello Valya, I don't see the temp for these cookies or how long to bake them at? also do grease your cookie sheet ?

      Reply
      • Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says

        December 10, 2018 at 6:16 pm

        Just like regular sugar cookies, 35O F for about 10 minutes or until light golden brown in color depends on the oven.

        Reply
    8. Natasha says

      September 11, 2018 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says

        September 11, 2018 at 1:21 pm

        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?

        Reply
    9. Julie says

      December 07, 2017 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      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 *****

      Reply
      • www.valyastasteofhome.com says

        December 07, 2017 at 9:55 pm

        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! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Emmi says

      December 05, 2017 at 6:34 am

      5 stars
      Going to try your sugar cookie recipe today.
      Do the cookies work as cut out shapes and actually hold their shape?

      Reply
      • www.valyastasteofhome.com says

        December 05, 2017 at 9:58 am

        Yes, they are great for cut out cookies.

        Reply
    11. Lana says

      August 17, 2017 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • valyastasteofhome.com says

        August 17, 2017 at 10:57 pm

        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! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Julie says

      December 19, 2016 at 2:00 pm

      5 stars
      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!!

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        December 19, 2016 at 4:41 pm

        You are very welcome! Enjoy!

        Reply
    13. Alicia says

      December 06, 2016 at 4:14 pm

      What degree and time do these cook at?

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        December 06, 2016 at 4:27 pm

        Just like regular sugar cookies. 35O F (180 C) for about 10 minutes depending on the oven.

        Reply
      • Tracy says

        December 27, 2021 at 3:32 pm

        Thanks for asking, I had the same question!!

        Reply
    14. Inna says

      November 29, 2016 at 7:35 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        November 29, 2016 at 7:44 pm

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    15. Ela says

      September 02, 2016 at 6:39 pm

      What kind flour did you use? Canadian?
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        September 02, 2016 at 6:52 pm

        I used All-purpose flour. Thanks for asking 🙂

        Reply
    16. Julie says

      August 17, 2016 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        August 17, 2016 at 5:07 pm

        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.

        Reply
    17. Victoria says

      August 17, 2016 at 11:55 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        August 17, 2016 at 1:13 pm

        Thank you for the review dear 🙂 I'm glad you liked this dough recipe.

        Reply
    18. Yelena says

      August 13, 2016 at 11:42 pm

      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!! 🙂

      Reply
      • valya'stasteofhome.com says

        August 13, 2016 at 11:55 pm

        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. 🙂

        Reply

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