Imagine a cookie that’s soft, thick, and practically melts in your mouth, with a sweet vanilla flavor that tastes just like the ones you find in your favorite bakery display. That’s what you get with Bakery Style Sugar Cookies! Every bite brings a comforting sweetness, a chewy center surrounded by delicately crisp edges, and all the charm of those nostalgic, sprinkle-topped treats you remember from childhood. These cookies are as simple to make as they are stunning to serve, and they’re extra irresistible with their classic texture and bakery-level finish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Bakery Style Sugar Cookies is all about using pantry staples in perfect harmony. Each ingredient plays an important part in giving you that iconic soft bite, gently golden exterior, and rich, classic flavor that’s hard to resist.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone for structure and thickness in every cookie.
- Baking soda: Helps create the signature puff and keeps cookies from spreading too thin.
- Baking powder: Adds lightness and tender lift to the dough.
- Salt: Just a touch to balance and enhance all the sweet flavors.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Essential for a rich taste and that melt-in-your-mouth texture—make sure it’s properly softened!
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that perfect crisp edge.
- Large egg, room temperature: Brings moisture and binds everything for consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with a classic, aromatic depth.
- Sour cream: The secret hero, delivering the irresistible softness that sets bakery style cookies apart.
- Sprinkles or coarse sugar (optional): Adds bakery charm and a bit of festive crunch to the top!
How to Make Bakery Style Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper—this guarantees the cookies won’t stick and makes cleanup a total breeze. Having your pans prepped and ready before you begin lets you move smoothly from dough making to oven time, so nothing delays your cookie fix!
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This quick step ensures every cookie bakes up evenly, with all the rising agents perfectly distributed. Whisking also helps create a smoother, lighter dough later.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together with a hand mixer or stand mixer for about 3 minutes, until the mixture is pale, fluffy, and absolutely irresistible. This step is key for achieving that beautiful, tender crumb you expect from Bakery Style Sugar Cookies.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Next, crack in your egg, pour in the vanilla extract, and drop in the sour cream. Beat everything together until the mixture is creamy and well-combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. The sour cream does wonders—your cookies will be extra soft and moist.
Step 5: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms. Don’t over-mix! You want your cookies to stay pillowy and plush, not tough. When all the flour streaks are gone, stop your mixer.
Step 6: Shape and Flatten the Cookies
Scoop out 2-tablespoon portions of dough and roll them into balls with your hands. Place each dough ball on your prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Using the bottom of a glass (or just your fingers), gently press each one until slightly flattened—this is what gives the cookies their signature bakery look.
Step 7: Top and Bake
Sprinkle each cookie with colorful sprinkles or coarse sugar if you want that extra bakery sparkle. Slide the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are set and the centers still look a bit underbaked. Don’t overbake—the cookies will continue to set as they cool, ensuring a perfectly soft bite!
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let your Bakery Style Sugar Cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This short rest allows them to hold their shape—and lets all those incredible flavors fully develop. By the time they’re cool, they’ll be ready to disappear (quickly!).
How to Serve Bakery Style Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
For classic bakery flair, top each cookie with colorful sprinkles or coarse sugar just before baking. If you’d like to take things up a notch, a quick drizzle of vanilla glaze or a dusting of edible glitter adds extra shine and whimsy. Think of this as your chance to make every batch Instagram-ready!
Side Dishes
Bakery Style Sugar Cookies are wonderful with all kinds of sips and snacks. Serve them alongside a cold glass of milk, hot cocoa, or your favorite tea. For party time, set out a plate with fresh berries, chocolate-dipped strawberries, or a bowl of vanilla ice cream to turn snack time into a dessert spread worth celebrating.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your cookies tall on a pedestal cake stand for a showstopper dessert table centerpiece. Package them in clear cellophane bags tied with a pretty ribbon for delightful homemade gifts, or arrange a selection on a festive platter for family get-togethers. You can even use a cookie cutter to shape the dough before baking if you want that extra-special, seasonal touch!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Bakery Style Sugar Cookies at peak softness, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer parchment paper between each stack so they stay picture-perfect and don’t stick together. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days—if you don’t eat them all before then!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully, either as dough or fully baked. For make-ahead magic, scoop and flatten the dough, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a zip-top bag. Baked cookies can be cooled completely, stacked with parchment, and frozen for up to 2 months. Just let thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you love a warm cookie (and who doesn’t?), simply pop a baked Bakery Style Sugar Cookie in the microwave for about 8 seconds to revive that straight-from-the-oven softness. Frozen cookies can be warmed in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes—just until they’re wonderfully tender again.
FAQs
What makes Bakery Style Sugar Cookies different from regular sugar cookies?
It’s all about the thick, tender texture, thanks to the perfect balance of sour cream, butter, and leaveners. These cookies are softer, chewier, and have that classic “bakery” look and bite—not flat or crunchy!
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Absolutely! Full-fat Greek yogurt makes a great substitute for sour cream, giving the same softness and tang in the finished cookies. Just swap equal amounts and enjoy.
How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter isn’t melted—just softened to room temperature. Measuring your flour accurately (by spooning and leveling) and briefly chilling the dough (even 10 minutes) can also help if your kitchen is very warm.
Can these cookies be decorated with icing or frosting?
Yes! These cookies are the ultimate blank canvas for royal icing, buttercream, or simple powdered sugar glaze. Let them cool completely before decorating for the prettiest results.
Is it okay to double the recipe?
Definitely! This recipe easily doubles for parties and holiday trays—just be sure your mixer can handle the larger amount of dough, and bake in batches if needed for even results.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a sweet treat that brings bakery magic right to your kitchen, these Bakery Style Sugar Cookies are guaranteed to delight. With their plush centers, delicate edges, and classic flavor, they’re the kind of cookie you’ll want to bake (and share) again and again. Don’t wait—grab your mixing bowl and let the cookie joy begin!
Print
Bakery Style Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Bakery Style Sugar Cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion. Soft, buttery, and delicious, they are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. With a hint of sour cream for extra richness, these cookies are sure to become a favorite in your household.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Additional:
- Sprinkles or coarse sugar for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream until well combined.
- Combine and Scoop Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix until incorporated. Scoop out portions of dough, roll into balls, and place on baking sheets.
- Flatten and Decorate: Gently press each dough ball flat and add sprinkles or coarse sugar on top if desired.
- Bake: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set and centers are slightly underbaked.
- Cool and Enjoy: Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a bakery-style look, roll the dough balls in extra sugar before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
