Soft & Dreamy Melt-In-Your-Mouth Sugar Cookies Recipe

These classic sugar cookies melt seamlessly into your favorite holiday butter cookies, offering a delightful crunch and sweetness that dance on your palate.

Soft, delicate, and incredibly simple to prepare, they promise pure comfort in every bite.

You can whip up this treasured recipe with just a handful of pantry staples.

Each cookie boasts a tender texture that practically dissolves the moment it touches your tongue.

The buttery aroma will fill your kitchen with warmth and nostalgia.

Light, crisp edges give way to a pillowy center that promises pure indulgence.

Bake a batch and watch these cookies disappear faster than you can sprinkle the first sugar crystal.

FAQs

• How do I prevent my sugar cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Use chilled dough and ensure your butter isn’t too soft. Refrigerate the shaped cookie dough for 15-30 minutes before baking to help them maintain their shape.

• Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking.

• Why did my cookies turn out tough or dense?

Overmixing the dough can develop too much gluten, making cookies tough. Mix the ingredients just until combined and avoid overworking the dough.

• How can I achieve a soft, tender texture in my sugar cookies?

Use room temperature ingredients, measure flour correctly (spoon and level), and avoid overbaking. Remove cookies from the oven when edges are just set but centers look slightly underdone.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 170 kcal

Servings: 24

Soft Sugar Cookie Ingredient Checklist

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender cookie base with perfect soft texture, choose unbleached flour for best results.
• Baking Soda: Provides gentle lift and delicate crumb, ensure fresh and not expired.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise evenly, check freshness by testing with water.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use fine table salt for smooth distribution.

• Butter: Delivers rich flavor and creamy texture, use unsalted room temperature butter.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create soft cookie structure, select pure cane sugar.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides moisture, use large room temperature eggs.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor complexity, choose pure extract over artificial.
• Almond Extract: Provides subtle nutty undertone, use sparingly for balanced taste.
• Sour Cream: Creates extra moisture and tenderness, select full-fat version.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting, sift to remove lumps.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency, use whole milk for richer texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth to frosting flavor, use pure extract.
• Food Coloring: Optional decorative element, gel colors provide more vibrant results.

Tools That Help You Bake Cookies That Stay Tender

• Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, beating eggs, and mixing frosting smoothly.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Perfect for combining wet and dry ingredients, with space for thorough mixing.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients evenly without lumps.
• Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: Helps create uniform cookie sizes for consistent baking.
• Baking Sheets: Provides even heat distribution for perfectly baked cookies.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping bowl sides and spreading frosting.
• Piping Bag (optional): Helps create decorative frosting designs.

Bake Sugar Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth

• Warm Up Your Cooking Station

Get your oven super cozy at 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for cookie.

• Mix Dry Treasures

Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl, creating a powdery playground for deliciousness.

• Create Butter Clouds

Blend softened butter and sugar until they transform into fluffy, dreamy clouds using your mixer.

• Wake Up the Flavor

Gently introduce eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla and almond extract with a dollop of sour cream.

• Marry Wet and Dry Friends

Softly combine dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until they become best friends without overmixing.

• Shape Cookie Dreams

Scoop or roll dough into adorable little balls, nestling them comfortably on baking sheets with breathing room.

• Bake to Perfection

Send cookies into the oven for 8-10 minutes until edges look set and tops appear puffy and inviting.

• Cool and Transform

Let cookies rest briefly on baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

• Craft Frosting

Whip butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk into a silky smooth topping, adjusting consistency as needed.

• Decorate with Joy

Spread or pipe frosting onto cooled cookies, adding playful colors and sprinkles for extra happiness.

Tips to Keep the Softness Long After Baking

• Avoid overmixing the dough to keep cookies tender and soft. Mix ingredients just until combined for the most delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. Chilled dough helps prevent spreading and intensifies flavor development during baking.
• Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities. Add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum to help bind the dough and maintain cookie structure.
• Experiment with different extract combinations like lemon, orange, or coconut instead of traditional vanilla. Each extract brings a unique twist to the classic sugar cookie profile.
• Replace butter with dairy-free margarine and use coconut cream instead of sour cream. Choose plant-based milk for frosting to create a delicious allergen-friendly version of this beloved treat.

Serve Plain or with Icing and Sprinkles

• Sweet Party Platter: Create a stunning cookie display with different frosting colors and sprinkle combinations for birthdays, holidays, or casual gatherings.
• Gifting Delights: Package these soft sugar cookies in cute mason jars or decorated boxes for teachers, neighbors, or friend appreciation gifts with personalized ribbons.
• Tea Time Treats: Pair these cookies with herbal tea, hot chocolate, or coffee for a delightful afternoon snack that elevates your relaxation moment with something sweet and homemade.
• Kids' Baking Adventure: Invite children to help decorate the cookies, turning it into a fun family activity where they can express creativity with colorful frostings and playful sprinkles.

Store in Tins to Stay Chewy

• Keep frosted cookies in an airtight container with wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Cookies stay fresh for 3-4 days when chilled.
• Wrap unfrosted cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months for future enjoyment. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
• Prepare cookie dough balls and refrigerate for 24 hours before baking. This technique enhances flavor development and creates more uniform cookie shapes.
• Store undecorated cookies in sealed containers at room temperature for 2-3 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and humidity to maintain soft texture and prevent staleness.

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Classic Soft Sugar Cookies from grandma’s kitchen promise pure comfort and nostalgia. Sweet memories mingle with simple ingredients that welcome warm family gatherings around freshly baked treats.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (360 g/12.7 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g/8 oz) unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup (200 g/7 oz) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (115 g/4 oz) unsalted butter (softened, for frosting)
• 2 cups (240 g/8.5 oz) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) sour cream
• 2–3 tbsps milk (to thin)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
• ½ tsp almond extract (optional, for added flavor)
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for seamless cookie placement.
2. Dry Mixture: Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend.
3. Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, then incorporate eggs one at a time, blending in vanilla extract, almond extract, and sour cream until smooth.
4. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined to create a soft, cohesive dough.
5. Portioning and Baking: Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving adequate space between cookies. Bake for 8-10 minutes, looking for set edges and slightly puffy tops while maintaining a pale color.
6. Cooling Process: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
7. Frosting Creation: Whip butter until creamy, gradually adding powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
8. Decoration: Once cookies are fully cooled, adorn with frosting, optionally enhancing with food coloring or sprinkles for added visual appeal.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to maintain a soft, tender cookie texture without developing tough gluten strands.
• Chill for Better Shape: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before scooping to prevent spreading and create more uniform, perfectly round cookies.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature for smoother blending and more consistent cookie texture.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend, use dairy-free butter alternative, and replace eggs with applesauce for various dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 176
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg