Sugar cookies are one of those classic Christmas cookie recipes every family should have on hand. They’re simple to make, endlessly fun to decorate, and perfect for getting the kids involved in the kitchen over the festive season. This recipe for Rory’s Sugar Cookies came from our Best Christmas Cookie Recipes Competition, and it’s stayed a firm favourite ever since.
Whether you cut them into stars, trees, or snowmen, these cookies are sturdy enough to hold their shape and decorate beautifully with icing, sprinkles or a dip in melted chocolate.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Icing, additional granulated or decorating sugar and candies, optional
Not used to cups as a measurement? This converter table will help you convert everything to grams and millilitres.
Preparation
1. Sift the flour with the baking powder. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter, sugar and salt until light, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture just until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
2. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and cut it in half. Pat each half into a 1-inch-thick disk. (Alternatively, form the dough into 2 or 3 logs, 1½ to 2 inches thick.) Wrap in plastic and chill for 1 hour, or up to 2 days.
3. Place racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 190°C (375°F). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment. Roll out one disk on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness and use cookie cutters to form your desired shapes. (If you’ve made logs, cut them into 1/4-inch-thick slices instead.)
4. Using a small metal spatula, carefully transfer the cookies to the lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle the tops with sugar, if you like. Chill for 10 minutes, then bake until lightly browned around the edges and firm in the centre, about 12 to 15 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
5. Repeat with the remaining dough, rerolling the scraps to use up as much as possible. Decorate the cooled cookies with icing, decorating sugar and candies, if desired.
Variations to try
Pistachio-Cranberry Cookies: Pulse 1/2 cup unsalted pistachios and 1 cup dried cranberries with 1 tablespoon of the flour in a food processor to finely chop. Add to the dough with the rest of the flour, then prepare the cookies as above.
Peppermint Cookies: Substitute 1½ teaspoons mint extract for the vanilla. Grind 20 small peppermint candies in a food processor (you should have about 1/2 cup) and add to the dough with the flour mixture. Prepare the cookies as above, omitting the optional sugar topping. Once completely cool, dip each cookie halfway into 8 oz melted dark chocolate. Sprinkle with additional crushed mints, if you like, and chill until the chocolate has hardened. Bring cookies back to room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes — the dough can be wrapped and chilled in the fridge for up to 2 days before rolling and baking, which makes it a handy make-ahead option for busy weeks in December.
Can I freeze sugar cookie dough?
Sugar cookie dough freezes well. Wrap the disks or logs tightly and freeze for up to a few months, then thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling out.
Why did my cookies spread too much while baking?
Make sure the dough is well chilled before it goes in the oven — the recipe’s chilling steps help the cookies hold their shape rather than spreading on the tray.
What’s the best way to get kids involved?
Cutting shapes and decorating are the easiest jobs to hand over to little helpers. Icing, sprinkles and sweets let them add their own personal touch once the cookies have cooled.
You Might Also Like
If you enjoyed Rory’s Sugar Cookies, you might also like:
- Emma’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cranberry & White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 15 Easy Christmas Recipes
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Love a good Christmas bake? Browse our full collection of Christmas cookie recipes for more festive ideas to try with the family this year.
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