Soft Sugar Cookies
This award-winning soft sugar cookie recipe is delightfully simple, making it accessible for bakers at any skill level. Prepare the dough, roll it into small balls (no rolling pin required), coat with sugar, and bake. These tender, chewy cookies can be decorated with colored sugar to suit any occasion, whether it’s a holiday or a special celebration like a baby shower, birthday, or engagement party.
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup unsalted butter softened
- ⅔ cup shortening
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup colored decorating sugar
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all ingredients and preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the decorating sugar into a small bowl, using separate bowls if you wish to use multiple colors.
- In a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and shortening together on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Gradually blend in the granulated sugar, then add the eggs one at a time, ensuring to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
- Shape the dough into balls, each roughly the size of a walnut. Roll each ball in the decorating sugar to coat evenly, then arrange them on ungreased baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each ball.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the baking sheets between racks halfway through the baking time. When the bottoms are a light golden brown, remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.