Easy Drop Sugar Cookies are the answer to a quick treat, especially during the holidays!
No rolling is required and there are just 6 ingredients. To frost them is optional, of course, because they look just as gorgeous with sprinkles
I confess that I don’t make sugar cookies as often as I should because rolling cut-out sugar cookies can be a bit of a project! If you are like me, but you still want beautiful sugar cookies, especially during the holidays, then this is the recipe for you. Easy cookies packed with flavor!
The only thing easier is our one-bowl Sugar Cookie Bars!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our affiliate disclosure for more details.
Ingredients for homemade Sugar Cookies
- Butter – we prefer to use unsalted in this recipe
- Sugar – of course!
- Pure Vanilla Extract – we love making our own with just 2 ingredients (try it!)
- Eggs – large eggs work best
- All-Purpose Flour – no need to sift but give your flour a quick stir with a fork before using it
- Salt – most baked goods need salt to balance the sweetness
- Vanilla Bean Paste (optional) – this really amps up the vanilla flavor, but you could also use almond extract instead. See below for more about vanilla paste.
How to make Drop Sugar Cookies
These treats are called Easy Drop Sugar Cookies for a reason – they are simple! However, here is the step-by-step to make sure you are successful.
- In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar for 5 minutes until pale and fluffy
- Add the eggs, one by one, and blend after each addition
- Add the flour mixture and blend gently. (Overmixing makes for a tougher cookie)
- Chill the dough for a minimum of 30 minutes before scooping and baking. This is a sticky dough so the longer you chill the easier the dough is to handle. Chilling the dough allows the flour to absorb all the moisture (from the eggs and oil) which results in a more even cookie. Cold fats (oil or butter) melt less quickly so the cookies hold their shape better in the oven.
- Preheat oven to 350˚F and line baking sheets with parchment paper
- Roll chilled cookie dough into 1″ balls with a cookie scooper or 2 spoons
- Roll the cookies in colored sugar or sprinkles, if using them
- Place cookies at least 1″ apart on the baking sheets and bake for about 11-13 minutes or until light golden brown
- Let rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling
What is Vanilla Bean Paste?
One of the best things about these cookies is the vanilla flavor and my secret weapon is vanilla bean paste. If you haven’t tried it yet, trust me, it’s worth every penny! I added it to these cookies and it made a big difference. I love the flecks of vanilla in every bite.
Basically, vanilla bean paste is a blend of concentrated vanilla extract and vanilla bean powder and has the consistency of maple syrup. My go-to brand is Nielson-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste, but you can find other brands, as well. A little bit goes a long way and it’s a vanilla game changer!
If you don’t have any vanilla bean paste on hand just omit it because this recipe also has vanilla extract in it, or add some almond extract in its place. Click here for our recipe for homemade vanilla extract.
Decorating sugar cookies with sprinkles:
The real fun of sugar cookies is all the beautiful sprinkles and decorations that are available. I like to choose a variety of colors which makes a great cookie platter. And, depending on the season, you can adapt these to any time of the year.
Peppermint crunch sprinkles are one of our favorites for the holidays, as well as gold pearls and silver snowflake sprinkles. So grab a variety of sprinkles and get baking!
Baking Tip
Roll the cookies all the way around to get the best coverage since the cookies will spread when they cook
Be sure to space the cookies 1-inch apart on the baking sheet
How to store sugar cookies:
Cookies will keep for about one week in an airtight container or frozen for about 2 months. Be sure to cool completely before freezing and allow them to thaw at room temperature.
Sugar Cookies make a great gift!
You can find a variety of fun bags and ribbons or twine and boxes for gifting your cookies at any craft store or online. Everyone loves a beautiful sugar cookie!
Looking for more cookies and sweets?
- Best Ever Cowboy Cookies
- Baked Churro Donuts
- Dark Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- One Bowl Espresso Brownies
- Microwave Peanut Brittle
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & We’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from us every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Art of Food and Wine.
Easy Drop Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp vanilla paste, Optional
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Make the dough:
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until creamy, about 5 minutes.
- Add eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla and vanilla paste and gently blend.
- In a small bowl, whisk flour and salt together. Add flour mixture in 3 parts, blending slowly just until combined each time. Do not overmix!
- Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 30-minutes and up to 12 hours.
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Form small 1" dough balls with 2 spoons or a small cookie scoop.
- If decorating, dip the cookies in decorative sugar sprinkles and place on lined baking sheets, about 1" apart.
- Bake for 13-14 minutes or until the bottom of cookies are a light golden brown and cookies look set.
- Cool on pan for 2-3 minutes and then move off the baking pan to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
- Store in an airtight container for about 1 week.
veenaazmanov
Easy and quick recipe. These Cookies look so colorful and cute. Kids would love to handle making these.
Chris Collins
What a fun and delicious gift! Will definitely be trying these out for sure 🙂
Vicky
You had me at easy! I LOVE this recipe. The rolled and cut sugar cookies are nice but do take some time but I love how bright and festive yet simple these drop cookies are!
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter
These sugar cookies look utterly gorgeous and will make a great addition to my festive table! Love how easy they are to make too!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
What a perfect and beautiful gift for little effort. These look great fun to make too!