Uploaded September 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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This classic, old-fashioned sugar cookies recipe is PERFECTION. Often, the best recipes come from the backs of the products we buy in the grocery store. This sugar cookie recipe is one of those and I've been using it for years.

It couldn't be more simple and you likely already have the ingredients in your kitchen right now.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup butter, very soft
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (loosely measured, do not pack as it will result in too much flour)
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat well until dough forms. Do not over mix.
4. Scoop dough onto parchment-lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with decorative sugar or sprinkles before baking, if desired.
5. Bake until edges are very light golden, about 10 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy!

Here's my recipe for homemade vanilla extract: oldtimeknowledge.com/make-your-own-vanilla-extract