Each year about this time, I start getting emails about holiday cookies. Many of them want my favorite sugar recipe and others are about things like how to keep cookies from spreading in the oven and keeping their shape.
When it comes to getting the perfect sugar cookie I’ve got a few tips. You’ll notice that my sugar cookie recipe has no baking powder in it and there are basically two reasons for that. First, the baking powder causes the cookie to puff and spread when they’re baking. If you have an intricately shaped cookie, you’ll lose some definition. Sure, your cookie will be a little more dense, but I bet you won’t notice much. Also, I’ve found that the cookies without baking powder are easier to decorate because they don’t break as easily. The other thing that I can recommend about creating the perfect sugar cookie is keeping the dough COLD. I make my dough and then wrap it in wax paper and refrigerate it for at least an hour (but preferably longer). Then I break the dough into quarters and only use a small amount at a time, keeping the other dough in the fridge. Keeping the dough cold will make them easier to cut out and transfer to a baking sheet. If you’re dough gets too warm and starts stretching and tearing easily, just ball it up and put it back in the fridge. Also, be sure to allow your cookie sheets to cool before you use them again. Otherwise, the cookies will start to spread before they make it into the oven.
When decorating, I prefer to use royal icing because of the taste and because it sets up hard so you can stack the cookies. I simply mix it up, divide into bowls, color it with gel based food colorings, and then decorate the cookies with a piping bag and assorted colored sugars.
Recipe Card
My Favorite Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups butter, room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until smooth. Add eggs, extracts, and salt, mix well. Add the flour gradually, stirring well. Cover or wrap dough and chill for at least an hour, but preferably overnight.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Divide dough into quarters and work with one quarter at a time, keeping the other refrigerated. Roll out on floured surface to about a 1/4 thickness. Cut into shapes with your favorite cookie cutters. Transfer cut-outs to a cool cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Bake 6 to 8 minutes, or until set but not browned. Cool and decorate with royal icing.
Please note:
If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Recipe Card
Royal Icing
Ingredients
- 3 ounces pasteurized egg whites (I used All Whites brand)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat together whites and vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well. Once all the sugar is incorporated, beat for two minutes on high or until smooth and glossy. Color using gel based food colorings.
Please note:
If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
I just entered and the pamper chef page is amazing!!!
Liked and shared …love Pampered Chef! Good luck to
everyone
I entered, and the Pampered Chef website is awesome!! I have been using Pampered Chef for 20+ years! Love, love, love it!!
For quick and easy, I make Conversation Cookies (no cooking). Can be used for any type get together. I also enjoy Oatmeal Crispies .and make them often as everyone enjoys a crisp cookie.
My favorite Christmas cookies are ‘Sugar Cookies’. I’ve made them every year for as long as I can
remember. I’ve ALWAYS flavored the cookies and butter frosting with grated orange peel or orange
extract. Makes them delicious with just a hint of different flavor.
My favorite homemade cookie is Jerome Bars. My mom made them as I was growing up. So good.
I also love Orange Slice cake at Christmas along with the usual Red Velvet, Italian Cream, etc.
I do love Sugar Cookies though and am very happy to have your recipe and hints.
Good old fashioned cut out sugar cookies with buttercream icing are my favorites
I love Sugar Cookies, and I must bake these. I have always admired Pampered Chef products, but have never been to one of the parties. Would love to own something of their line and use it to impress my family.
I also “liked” Pampered CHef on FB =]
Snickerdoodle FOR THE WIN! And a tall, ice cold glass of milk…. YUM!
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies, love these and love to make them. I also Like Pampered Chef on facebook.
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies, love these and love to make them.
I “liked” the Pampered Chef webpage. 🙂
Didn’t think about doing that before, thanks! I love their products.
We are definately a cookie family. But, my favorite is oatmeal chocolate chip pecan! Yum!!
“Liked” on Facebook
Snickerdoodles are my favorite christmas cookie and Russian Tea Cakes.
And I will “like PC on FB” , One of my absolute favorite kitchen products.
My Christmas treat is a breakfast family tradition in my family on Christmas morning, Goldenrod Eggs. A recipe handed down by my maternal grandmother, it is a favorite of my grown sons.
WoW snowflake cookies are soo beautiful and look so yummy, I immediately printed the recipe and going to invite my first and only granddaughter (Zara) over and make them with her, she loves spending quality time with “grandmaman” Thanks for sharing Pampered Chef Recipes Christine, you are the Best and always there to help when I need it in a flash. These new tools would work very well with my grand daughter and I. Would be nice to win!
I like Pampered Chef on FB.
One of my favorites is Ding Bats, made with dates! Also sugar cookies! Your snowflake cookies are beautiful and I’m sure delicious! Today is snowflake day …a perfect day to try them!
Always searching for recipes that top my current favorites. Can’t wait to try this one! LOVE the Pampered Chef products and recipes.
LIKED ON PAMPERED CHEF’S FACEBOOK PAGE…and just wanted to wish you and Pampered Chef folks a Very Merry Christmas! You’ve all brought JOY to me in 2012 and am sure 2013 will be just as fun. Thanks!
“Liked” The Pampered Chef on Facebook.
I love making spritz cookies and peanut butter cookies with the hershey kisses on the top.
I have a favorite pound cake recipe that I just love. Moist and rises high and mighty!
I am making the Favorite Sugar Cookies above. I can’t quite understand the need for 6 cups of flour. After 4 cups the batter was so stiff I knew I couldn’t add any more. Anyone got an answer?
Hi Patti! Merry Christmas! If you used the 2 eggs and 2 cups (4 sticks) of butter, you’ll need all 6 cups of flour. Enjoy!
Wow! Beautiful cookies & great tip on how to keep the cookies from baking! I will definitely try this! Would LOVE, love, love to win this package!! Thanks for sharing! I’ll def. be back to your page! Sharing on FB!
My favorite cookies are sugar and chocolate chips. Yummy.
I “like” Pampered Chef on Facebook.
Sugar cookies are some of my favorites. Love to decorate them!
It isn’t Christmas unless we have Crinkle Cookies – both chocolate rolled in powdered sugar and “plain” rolled in sparkley white sugar. I usually make one batch of decorated cut-outs to add some color to the cookie tray but everyone reaches for the old stand-bys.
I liked the Pampered chef before. I love their products! I used to sell them too. Thanks for the recipe!
I liked the Pampered Chef page! Love their products
I love spritz cookies and buckeye candy
I love Pampered Chef! This is such a good recipe. One of my favorite cookies is an almond butter cookie with icing. Only make them once a year so that I want have to be lifted out of my house with a crane. Lol
I also like Pampered Chef on Facebook.
I love peanut butter cookies.
I like pampered chef on facebook
My favorite treat to make at the holidays are peanut butter cookies with snickers inside! So yummy!!
I already “liked” the “Pampered Chef” page on Facebook. Couldn’t do it again. 🙂
So hard to pick just one, but slice ‘o spice was always a favorite growing up. It is a sugar cookie type dough with oatmeal that you wrap in foil, refrigerate, then slice, coat with cinnamon & sugar mixture and bake. Yummy, now I’m going to have to make some!
My favorite cookie is the Swedish Ginger cookie from the Southern Living Cookbook. We decorate them with candied cherries and almond slivers.
My favorite Christmas treat is homemade caramels. These are soft and easy to chew. They are easy to make and so delicious. Next to that is Cream Cheese Pound Cake. It’s a heavy pound cake that freezes well. I take the frozen cake out for company, slice as much as I need and return it to the freezer. Yummy!! Pampered Chef makes my baking so easy. I keep buying and buying more!
My favorite cake to make at Christmas is a 3 tier Red Velvet Cake. The deep red color is so pretty. I add green colored sugar sprinkles on top. Favorite pie to make is pecan. My favorite cookie to make is a new recipe we made this year: Italian Sugar Cookies. Something I used to love making with my children was our yearly Gingerbread house. The Pampered Chef mold made a cute one!
Pampered Chef on Facebook is awesome!
I “liked” the Pampered Chef Facebook page.
I love Pampered Chef and your cookies are beautiful. My favorite Christmas treat is homemade cheesecake-yum!
My favorite is frosted cutout sugar cookies and homemade fruitcake!
I love the spritz cookies & Yule Log (Pampered Chef Holiday Cookbook)! I also liked the Pampered Chef’s Facebook page!
Our favorites are old fashioned cut out sugar cookies like these and red velvet cake. Yummy!!
My favorite is spritz cookies….
My favorite cookie is Egg Nog cookies. They taste like the real stuff!
Martie D. , I would love to have the Egg Nog Cookie recipe if you can share it. Thanks
My mom and I love the Spice of Life cookies! It is a ginger cookie that has raisins in it! So TASTY!! My daughters love to help decorate sugar cookies. I would love to win the Baking Bundle
liked PC on facebook
I love my Mom’s cut-out sugar cookie recipe. But my favorite cookie at Christmas is the peanut butter kiss cookies. You know the peanut butter cookie with the hershey’s kiss pressed in the middle! And my favorite cake is Red Velvet cakef I have already liked the pampered a long time ago. I love Pampered Chief products? We just made our cookies last night but we will try yours
thumbprint cookies are a fav
I so want to make a beautiful sugar cookie but even yesterday, mine spread to where you could not tell what the shape was….I need this kit to help me in my kitchen…I want to master this sugar cookie!!!
My mom’s Christmas cookie recipe. No one makes them like my mom.
My husband finally found his mom’s old sugar cookie recipe and he was very busy making delicious decorated Ugarit cookies! He was surprised about omitting the baking powder and will modify the recipe next time. Thanks for he tip!!
I like Pampered Chef on Facebook!
My favorite holiday cake is my mom’s Red Velvet Cake!!
I really enjoy the “pampered chef” on facebook.
Sugar Cookies are a favourite for Christmas time.
I am already a fan of the Pampered Chef’s FB page.
I like making Christmas wreath cookies. I too love the Pampered Chef so much that I’m a consultant.
I am already a fan of the Pampered Chef’s FB page.
Sugar Cookies are definitely my favorite for the holidays. They are all so pretty! I will definitely give your recipe a try.
I love my Mother’s Divinity candy. She used to make it every year at Christmas time. I’m already a fan of Pampered Chef. I love their products.
I own Sugarmomma’s catering in Saskatchewan and our favorite recipe (and most requested) is the chewy ginger cookie!
I love fudge. Ok anything chocolate. I love The Pampered Chef so much I’m a consultant.
My favorite holiday treat is a mixture of chex, pretzels & Cheerios drizzled with iced white chocolate! Delish!
liked Papered Chef on FB
I love this recipe we just tried it amaizing , thank you
Lemon Ricotta Cookies! making some tonight 🙂
Apple crumble with vanilla ice cream. Also a pampered chef fan.
I liked the pampered chef on Facebook (:
I liked “the pampered chef” on facebook
I love archway cookies. It was a tradition when we were kids to have them when putting up the Christmas tree.
I liked the Pampered Chef on FB. Your sugar cookies are absolutely beautiful. I’ve got to try this recipe. Thanks!
sugar cookies with royal icing…making some tonight!
I “like” PC! (My best friend sells it!)
I love making oreo cookie truffle balls and candy cane cookies with family.
pralines – yum!
My family loves peppermint bark and chocolate chip cookies.
I love sugar cookies with frosting but my aunt make these cookies called hopscotch they are the best…… i will get the recipe and post for every one i follow pamper chef on facebook and pin it
I “like” Pampered Chef on Facebook
My favorite holiday treat is my mom’s recipe Christmas cake. You have to make it in Oct or Nov at the latest so it can cure in Brandy. It is what makes the difference between a door stop and an enjoyable Christmas tradition.
I also have been a PC fan forever and liked the page.
I love iced sugar cookies this time of year!
Sugar Cookies – best Christmas treat!
I love this blog! Your baked spaghetti recipe is a big hit at my house!
I “liked” Pampered Chef. Thanks for the sugar cookie recipe! I’ve been looking for a good one.
Our Favorite Christmas cookies are “Spritz” made into wreath shapes with a cookie press. It’s not Christmas without them!
I “liked” the Pampered Chef FB page.
Sugar cookies are my favorite and yours look extra Yummy!
Can’t wait to make the cookies
I “liked” Pampered Chef on Facebook. Funny thing is, many of my friends had already done this. 🙂
My favorite Christmas goody is my MIL’s nut roll. It’s similar to your pecan log but uses a variety of chopped nuts and also dried cherries and mini marshmallows.
Merry Christmas and thank you for your wonderful blog!
My Mom’s Anise Seed cookies are my first go-to christmas cooky recipe every year. merry christmas to all :o)
I did, I did like PC
I liked Pampered Chef
Coconut cake
I’m a fan of Pampered Chef on Facebook
My favorite is sugar cookies with frosting! Thanks for a new recipe!
I love snickerdoodles! They’re good with coffee, tea, egg nog, apple cider…just about anything!
I love Red Velvet cake, and The Martha Washington balls were the first homemade Christmas treat my 16 month old grandson Bladen was allowed to have..I posted pics of him eating them on my fb page, wish it had been a video so everyone could hear him going MMMmmmmmmmm….!!!The pampered chef pack looks awesome!
date nut balls!
FB fan of Pampered Chef.
Eggnog is my favorite holiday treat!!
liked pampered chef on FB
I love soft frosted christmas sugar cookies!
Italian Cream Cake is a family favorite that I love to bake & eat too (giggles)
I liked the Pampered Chef’s Face Book page, good luck to all the entries!
I love double chocolate chip cookies with walnuts for the Christmas holidays.
I love a good sugar cookie. ( Cheryl’s Cookies are the best!)
I love no bake cookies! Hope to win!
I like my grandma’s butter tarts, fudge, gingersnaps — things I typically only have during Christmas!
Yeaaa…I liked Pampered Chef on facebook!
Looking forward to seeing what they post!
Iced sugar cookies are my favorite but mine always break. I’ll have to try this recipe!
I make my husband’s favorite cookies every year, snowballs!
Ive been making Sugar Cookies for two days now, My family is eating them faster then I can make them!
Red Velvet Cake is the all time favorite to make. I make lots of other goodies also.
I liked the Pampered Chef FB page. Love the cookies and The Pampered Chef Baking Bundle.
I liked the Pampered Chef FB page
My favorite Christmas treat is Red Velvet Cake!!
I just “liked” pampered chef on Facebook!
I love making pizzels!
My Mother’s spritz cookies with icing & sprinkles. She’s 82 & still makes them for everyone.
I also have liked “The Pampered Chef on Facebook”.
German Sweet Chocolate Cake is my Christmas favorite. Great thing Pampered Chef is doing.
My favorite Christmas treat is my Mom’s fudge!
Love to bake a Hummingbird cake for the holidays. I like Pampered Chef on FB.
I liked The Pampered Chef and can’t wait to try this Sugar Cookie recipe sounds wonderful!!!
I like Pampered Chef on FB
It’s a difficult pick between peanut butter fudge and 7-layer bars.
Nothing beats a good Gingerbread cookie, but I truly love a gingerbread house. And they are NOT just for decoration. Eat the beast!
MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY RECIPE IS ICEBOX FRUITCAKE AND LINZER COOKIES.
Love Snickerdoodles!!!
divinity!!!
Biscotti. I love biscotti. Oh, and snickerdoodles, too. And sugar cookies. OK, I love just about any type of cookie lol.
I “liked” Pampered Chef on Facebook
My favorite holiday dessert is the classic Red Velvet Cake!
nut triangle bars.
Pecan Balls
I liked The Pampered Chef on Facebook!
I love the Ritz cracker candy
This year just doing Gingerbread cookies. Pampered Chef has some awesome stuff! Just saw too much that I want and it’s too late to let Santa know!
I “liked” The Pampered Chef on their fb page!!
I love to make old fashioned cut out sugar coookies
Divinity & spritz cookies
I like The Pamered Chef on Facebook.
I love whipped shortbread – so easy!
Divinity
Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies!!!
The sugar cookies look so good. The Pampered Chef stuff looks fun, too.
I “liked” the Pampered Chef Facebook page, too!
I love to make good old’ Southern Tea Cakes for Christmas. My family loves them!
I love snickerdoodle cookies at the holidays.
I love decorated gingerbread cookies. I’ve been baking some and handing them out to my grand daughters friends. They love them! Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!
Sugar cookies are my favorite at Christmas too!
We enjoy anything “sweet” . . . chocolate chip cokies, chocolate cake w/cream cheese frosting, 7 layer cookie bars, wonderful oatmeal cake . . . the list goes on & on! Merry Christmas to everyone!
Red Velvet Cake
I liked Pampered Chef on Facebook.
I like Choc cake with cream cheese icing and broken candy canes to decorate with.
Will be making your favorite sugar cookies tomorrow. Like the pappered chef on facebook.
I liked Papered Chef on Facebook.
I like the Dirty Snowballs that a friend of mine’s bakery makes.
I also Liked the Pampered Chef on Facebook
A new favorite at our house are the Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Truffle!
Liked it =) Can’t wait to try your cookie recipe!
Fudge, it’s a tradition!
I love making blueberry pie with fresh berries from the garden!
Pampered Chef truly pampers the chef (or cook in my case)
Making sugar cookies with the grandkids.
Liked the Pampered Chef on Facebook
coconut cake
Love oatmeal raisin cookies or peanut butter balls this time of year.
I “like” Pampered Chef on Facebook!
Fav is Oreo Balls!
I gave Pampered Chef a like on FB
Dark chocolate fudge with raisins and pecans.
My favorite Christmas cookies were the molasses cookies baked by my grandmother.
Snowball Cookies! They have the texture of a shortbread and are delish with nuts & chocolate chips in them. Yum!
My favorite Christmas recipe this year has been a Peppermint Cake. Yummy!!
And I liked Pampered Chef on Facebook.
Liked it =)
I ‘liked” the Pampered Chef on fb
Fave cookie especially at holidays is iced sugar of course. My son loves loves loves anything peanut butter though – during this three deployments I have sent him Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies and bars, peanut butter balls and peanut butter cookies
MY mom’s fruit cake cookies! My friends even beg for them!!
I just “liked” The Pampered Chef Facebook page, too!
Egg nog pounds cake with egg nog glaze is on the top of my list of Christmas treats!
Liked The Pampered Chef on Facebook.
Chocolate covered peanuts are easy and delicious!
Oatmeal raisin chocolate chip pecan – yes, all in one cookie.
I like Pampered Chef on FB.
I love fresh coconut cake. But I never really met any sweet I didn’t like. And does Dec. have 32 days this year? Just messing with you. 🙂 Can I just substitute meringue powder for the egg whites in the icing? Thanks for the giveaway. Love Pampered Chef.
My favorite cookie is my mom’s Gingersnaps. Oh my and she is going to be with me this Christmas, so just maybe she will treat me to some homemade goodness!
Love Pampered Chef! and Thank you for the tips on making Sugar Cookies!
I’m happy with a box cake, but your Oreo delight is great anytime of year!
Magic cookie bars
Today I am trying your Red Velvet Truffles.
Tollhouse chocolate chip pie
I am a Southern girls so pralines and fudge are my most faves!
Have to say that good old fashioned fudge is my favorite holiday treat!
I love fudge! And trying new flavors.
Favorite is coconut or peanut butter balls
Liked The Pampered Chef on Facebook 🙂
This year I am all about gingerbread.
Snowball cookies are the best and simple to make…..
Gingersnaps are my favorite holiday treat!