This simple sugar cookie recipe is perfect for both amateurs and experts alike, yielding soft, chewy, and buttery cookies with minimal effort. Whether you’re baking them to celebrate the holiday season, a special event, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these homemade classic sugar cookies will delight everyone. With just a few basic ingredients and about 20 minutes, you’ll have a batch of delicious cookies.

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
• 3 tbsp milk
• Extra sugar for rolling

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Prep the Oven:
  Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly coat them with non-stick cooking spray.

Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

• Cream Butter and Sugar:
  In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar for about 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. An electric mixer works best for this step.

Add Wet Ingredients:
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Gradually add in the milk and mix until just combined.

• Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
  Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as it can make the cookies dense.

• Roll the Dough:
  Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Coat each ball in sugar to give them a beautiful, sparkling finish.
• Bake the Sugar Cookies:
  Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden. Don’t overbake; the centers should remain soft for a chewy texture.

• Cool and Serve:
  Allow the sugar cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Bonus Tips:

• To ensure soft and chewy sugar cookies, slightly underbake them to keep the centers tender.
• For a festive touch, sprinkle colored sugar or add sprinkles before baking.
• You can freeze the cookie dough balls in an airtight container and bake fresh cookies whenever needed.

Nutritional Information (per cookie):

• Calories: 160
• Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Sodium: 100mg

This easy sugar cookie recipe is my go-to when I need a quick, delicious treat. Enjoy the soft, chewy texture, and have fun decorating these cookies for holidays or special occasions!