Description
These classic Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies are tender, buttery, and perfectly sweet. Rolled in sugar for a delightful crackly exterior, they’re chilled to develop flavor and baked to a perfect golden finish. Ideal for holiday gatherings or any time you crave a nostalgic, homemade treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 1 cup oil
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For Rolling
- Additional white sugar (for rolling cookies)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the softened butter, oil, white sugar, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs until the mixture is creamy and well combined, approximately 2 minutes. Add in the baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and the flour gradually, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to firm up and develop flavor.
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats or lightly spray them with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Shape and coat the cookies: Using a cookie dough scoop or a tablespoon, portion rounded balls of dough. Roll each dough ball in the additional white sugar to coat evenly, which will give the cookies a sweet, crackled exterior. Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for approximately 9 to 11 minutes. Rotate the baking pans halfway through baking to ensure even heat distribution and uniform baking. The cookies should be lightly golden brown but not over-baked to keep them tender.
- Cool and serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets. This prevents breaking or crumbling. Once cooled, you may ice or decorate the cookies as desired before serving.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is critical for texture and to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Use softened butter (not melted) for the best creaming results and texture.
- Rotate baking sheets halfway through cooking to avoid uneven browning.
- For a festive look, you can decorate the cookies with icing or colored sugars once cooled.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.