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You are here: Home / Recipes / Cookies / Sugar Cookie Guide

Sugar Cookie Guide

February 3, 2022 5 Comments

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Sugar cookie guide sign with heart cookies

I have received so many questions and comments regarding sugar cookies that I decided to repost this helpful sugar cookie guide.  Follow this simple guide for baking up the best sugar cookies you could ever imagine.

Sugar cookie guide sign with heart cookies

Which sugar cookie dough will work best with my cookie cutter?

assortment of sugar cookies and cutters

 

sugar cookie with scoop1
heart shaped sugar cookie with sprinkles and cutter3
Iced heart sugar cookie with cutter2
pink iced heart sugar cookie with cutter4
  1. Cracked Sugar Cookies just require an ice cream scoop or a walnut-size piece of dough rolled into a ball then rolled in sugar.  No cookie-cutter is required for this recipe
  2. Sour Cream Sugar Cookies have a very soft dough that does not hold its shape well.  I simply cookie cutter is best with little or no detail.
  3. Cut Out Sugar Cookies hold a shape very well.  Detailed cutters work really well with this recipe.
  4. Butter Dream Sugar Cookies are thick and soft yet they will hold their shape while baking.  A detailed cookie cutter works well with this recipe.
three round sugar cookies with cutter
Four round sugar cookies
  • As you can see in the above photos, I used the same 2 3/4-inch cookie cutter on the Sour Cream Sugar Cookie, Cut Out Sugar Cookie, and the Butter Dream Sugar Cookie.
  • The softer Sour Cream and Butter Dream Cookies spread out about 1/2-inch.  The Cut Out Sugar Cookie remained the same size.

 

Cracked Sugar Cookies

half of cracked sugar cookie
stacked sugar cookies glass of milk

Rich and buttery Cracked Sugar Cookies get their name from the way the tops crack after baking.  The no-chill, no-roll, no-cut dough make them ready in no time.  The cookie dough is rolled in sugar before baking giving them a sweet and crisp exterior while the center is soft and chewy.  This sugar cookie can be iced as well.  Simply omit to roll the dough in sugar and bake as directed.  Once the cookie has cooled, use cream cheese icing or buttercream icing swirled on top.  These cookies freeze wonderfully for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

Reader Comment:  “My kids and I just made these- yummy! I sent over a dozen to my husbands meeting and they were a big hit.”  – Charees

Cracked Sugar Cookies
Rich and buttery Cracked Sugar Cookies get their name from the way the tops crack after baking.  They are soft and chewy with a bit of a crisp exterior.
Check out this recipe
stacked sugar cookies glass of milk

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

half sugar cookie
pink iced heart sugar cookies

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies are so tender and soft.  This cake-like cookie is made rich with sour cream and butter.  This is my favorite sugar cookie of all time.  I can eat a dozen.  As you can see in the cross-section of the cookie, the dough rises during baking.  The cookie will spread out as well.  They go perfectly with cream cheese and butter icing.

The dough does require at least 8 hours of refrigeration which can come in handy if you only have time to make the dough and not roll out and bake the cookies.  Another plus is the cookies freezer very well.  Sometimes after baking the cookies, I don’t have time to ice them so I allow them to cool completely then stack them between sheets of waxed or parchment paper.  Place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 weeks.  The cookies can be iced even if they are still frozen.

Reader Comment:  “Made these for Valentine’s Day. Especially the men are praising them. Our neighbor offered to buy his wife’s cookie and a father complained his son shared with his wife and not him but it was the best sugar cookie ever. If I make another batch for him he will not share. This is1 0 days after Valentine’s Day and they are still commenting!” – Rita

Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

cut out sugar cookie half
assortment of sprinkles on heart shape sugar cookies

Rich and buttery Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are the most tender melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie.  This no-chill dough rolls out beautifully and the cookies hold their shape perfectly when baked.  Imagine a tender shortbread cookie glazed with thin almond-flavored icing.  This is a heavenly cookie and so easy to make.  Even after gathering up the scraps of dough and re-rolling the cookie is still tender and soft.  It’s amazing how well these cookies hold their shape.  These cookies also freeze very well, especially before icing.  To freeze iced cookies simply place them on a baking sheet and put int the freezer until completely frozen.  Once frozen layer between sheets of waxed or parchment paper. Freeze in an airtight container. I try not to layer them more than 2 layers.

Reader Comment:  “I just made these. Even when you re-roll the dough (adding more flour) they stay AMAZING!” – Bonnie

Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Rich and buttery soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are unbelievably melt-in-your-mouth tender.  My best sugar cutout cookie recipe is easy to make with a no-chill dough that rolls out beautifully, so the cookies hold their shape perfectly when baked. Finish them with a smooth icing and your choice of decorations for a festive and delicious treat.
Check out this recipe
assortment of sprinkles on heart shape sugar cookies

Butterdream Sugar Cookies

sugar cookie half
Ice sugar cookie with sprinkles

The title says it all!  Tender and buttery sugar cookies iced a fluffy buttercream.  Butter Dream Sugar Cookies hold their shape when baked and don’t require refrigeration.  If you want to make soft, perfect sugar cookies, this is the recipe last minute.  No refrigeration is required.  The cookie dough rolls out so easily and the cookies will hold their shape with a detailed cookie cutter.  They puff up so thick.  I like to ice them with fluffy buttercream icing, but cream cheese icing is just as decadent.  Butter dream sugar cookies freeze great for up to 2 weeks.   You will never regret making these cookies.

Reader Comment: “These cookies are to die for” – Ray

Butter Dream Sugar Cookies
Tender and buttery sugar cookies are topped with a fluffy homemade buttercream icing for the most delicious and festive sweet treats. This frosted butter dream sugar cookies recipe does not require refrigeration and bakes up perfectly formed Christmas cookies that hold their shape!
Check out this recipe
Tree iced Sugar Cookie with sprinkles

Secrets to making the perfect sugar cookie

  • BUTTER!!  BUTTER!!  BUTTER!!  I have said over and over again how butter gives baked goods such a great flavor.  Remember butter has a lower than body melting temperature, therefore it melts in your mouth.  Shortening in cookies will only leave a film in your mouth with little flavor.  Butter is better!
  • Don’t let the butter soften too much.  The butter should leave a dent in it when squeezed.  It shouldn’t be too soft that it has to be scraped from the wrapper.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together for at least 3 minutes or more if the recipe requires longer mixing.
  • Don’t be too heavy-handed with the flour.  Add the last cup of flour bits at a time. Too much flour will make a heavy cookie.
  • If the dough needs to be chilled, chill it.  Don’t add more flour to make the dough easier to roll out.
  • Don’t roll out the cookies too thin.  Most sugar cookies bake great when rolled out to 1/4-inch thick.
  • Don’t overbake!  Cookies should just barely be turning a golden color around the edges.
  • Use the right cookie cutter for the dough being used.  Don’t use a scalloped edge cutter with the Sour Cream Cookie dough.

Do you have great tips for making sugar cookies?

I’d love to hear your great tips along with your favorite recipe.  If you have used any of the recipes above, I’d love to hear any of your comments.

 

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Filed Under: Cookies Tagged With: best recipe for sugar cookies, how to make sugar cookies, sugar cookie 101, Sugar cookie guide

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Comments

  1. Jen says

    February 11, 2021 at 10:47 pm

    I made your sugar cookies with sour cream for the first time a few years ago and they really are the best sugar cookies ever. I think I will make a batch this weekend and deliver plates of cookies to people who need a little extra love.

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      February 12, 2021 at 8:48 pm

      I agree. The sour cream sugar cookies are the bomb! You are so sweet to treat those that need a little love. Bless your heart! ❤️

      Reply
  2. Margi says

    February 23, 2019 at 8:21 pm

    Now I know why sugar cookies never what i WANTED. the ONE I TRIED THE MOST WAS THE SOUR CREAM COOKIE. SO TOMORROW IT’S COOKIE TIME. FINGERS CROSSED.

    Reply
  3. Jane says

    February 15, 2019 at 1:42 pm

    This post is amazing. It is so helpful iN determinIng which sugar Cookie to bake for Which purpose. Your recipes are always so Delicious. Thank you so much for your Detailed and descriptive posts!

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      February 15, 2019 at 9:45 pm

      Why thank you so much. You just made my day! 🥰

      Reply

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Janet Barton

Hi I'm Janet and this is where I share my delicious made-from-scratch seasonal recipes that I make at home for my family every day.

I believe cooking from scratch, using unprocessed and whole foods is an important part of healthy eating. My goal is to help you create amazing recipes by providing easy step-by-step photos and instructions.

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