Sugar cookies are a timeless treat that everyone loves. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a special occasion, or just because, these 25 sugar cookie recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth. From classic recipes to creative twists, here’s a comprehensive guide to making the perfect sugar cookies.

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
• Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place them on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden.
• Let cool on wire racks.

Tip: For a smooth dough, make sure your butter is softened at room temperature, not melted. This helps create a light and airy texture.

2. Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.

Tip: To ensure your cookies stay soft and chewy, don’t overbake them. Pull them out of the oven when they are just starting to turn golden at the edges.

3. Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups gluten-free flour blend
• ½ teaspoon xanthan gum (if not included in flour blend)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
• Roll dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: If your gluten-free flour blend doesn’t already contain xanthan gum, be sure to add it for better structure and texture in your cookies.

4. Vegan Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup vegan butter, softened
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together vegan butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Mix in applesauce and vanilla extract.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Tip: When using vegan butter, check if it’s a good-quality brand that will give the best texture and flavor to your cookies.

5. Lemon Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: To get the most flavor from the lemon, zest the lemons right before using them so the oils are fresh and aromatic.

6. Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Tip: For an extra chocolatey taste, use a high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder in your dough.

7. Brown Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: Brown sugar adds moisture to your cookies, but be careful not to overmix, as this can cause them to become too dense.

8. Almond Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and almond extract.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Tip: For an even richer almond flavor, toast the almonds lightly before adding them to the dough.

9. Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: Roll your dough balls in the cinnamon sugar mixture twice for an extra burst of flavor and texture in every bite.

10. Peanut Butter Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and peanut butter.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Tip: Ensure your peanut butter is smooth to avoid any graininess in your cookie dough.

11. Orange Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: Freshly squeezed orange juice will give your cookies a brighter, more vibrant flavor compared to bottled juice.

12. Coconut Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup shredded coconut

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Stir in shredded coconut.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Tip: Toast the shredded coconut before mixing it into the dough for a deeper, nutty flavor.

13. Maple Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon maple extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and maple extract.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: Use real maple extract to ensure the authentic maple flavor shines through in your cookies.

14. Gingerbread Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Tip: For a spicier kick, adjust the amount of ground ginger and cinnamon to your taste preference.

15. Red Velvet Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: Be cautious with food coloring; a little goes a long way! Add gradually to achieve the desired red hue.

16. Mint Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract.
• Stir in chocolate chips.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Tip: Use peppermint extract, not mint flavoring, for a fresh, cooling mint taste in your cookies.

17. Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: For a more aromatic pumpkin spice flavor, add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice to the mix.

18. Oatmeal Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup rolled oats

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Stir in rolled oats.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Tip: To keep the oatmeal cookies soft, don’t let them over-brown—take them out when they are just slightly golden.

19. Raspberry Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup raspberry jam

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and make a small indentation in the center of each cookie.
• Fill each indentation with raspberry jam.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: Use seedless raspberry jam to avoid any chunks in the center of your cookies for a smoother filling.

20. Snickerdoodle Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar for rolling.
• Roll dough into balls and coat with cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Place on baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Tip: For a crispier coating, roll your dough balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and gently flatten them before baking.

21. Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter, cream cheese, and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: Be sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to ensure it blends smoothly with the butter and sugar.

22. Almond Joy Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Stir in shredded coconut, chopped almonds, and chocolate chips.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Tip: Chop the almonds finely to ensure an even distribution throughout the cookie dough.

23. Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup rainbow sprinkles

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Stir in rainbow sprinkles.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: Add the sprinkles last to prevent them from bleeding into the dough and losing their color during baking.

24. Brown Butter Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, browned and cooled
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until it turns golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Let it cool.
• In a large bowl, cream together browned butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving.

Tip: Let the browned butter cool slightly before mixing it into the dough to avoid altering the texture.

25. Eggnog Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup eggnog
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
• In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the egg, eggnog, and vanilla extract.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
• Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

Tip: For an extra festive touch, dust the cookies with additional ground nutmeg right after baking.

Conclusion

Sugar cookies are a versatile and beloved treat that can be customized in countless ways. Whether you prefer classic recipes, creative flavors, or dietary-friendly options, there’s a sugar cookie recipe here for everyone. From the simplicity of Classic Sugar Cookies to the festive flair of Eggnog Sugar Cookies, these recipes are sure to bring sweetness and joy to any occasion. Happy baking!