If you’re on the hunt for a homemade treat that checks all the boxes—soft, sweet, simple, and irresistible—these Drop Sugar Cookies need to be on your baking agenda. They’re the kind of classic cookie everyone loves, with a crisp edge, chewy middle, and a happy sugar sparkle on top. Whether it’s a weeknight craving, a bake sale, or a holiday tradition, whipping up a batch of Drop Sugar Cookies always brings pure comfort and just the right touch of nostalgia.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Get ready to fall in love with how straightforward this ingredient list is! Each item plays a starring role in transforming everyday pantry staples into cookies that will become the talk of your dessert table.
- Unsalted butter (softened): The backbone of every good sugar cookie, butter brings richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s impossible to resist.
- Granulated sugar: Essential for sweetness and those gorgeous crisp edges; perfect for rolling the dough, too, if you want extra sparkle.
- Large egg: Adds structure and a little extra chew, tying everything together.
- Vanilla extract: The secret behind that classic cookie aroma and a warm, comforting flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cookies just enough body without making them heavy or dense.
- Baking soda: Teams up with baking powder to make sure your cookies rise beautifully every time.
- Baking powder: A little lift goes a long way to achieve that perfect cake-meets-cookie texture.
- Salt: Brightens all the sweet flavors and keeps the cookies from tasting flat.
- Additional granulated sugar (optional): Rolling dough balls in sugar before baking adds a subtle sparkle and a slight crunch on top.
How to Make Drop Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper makes cleanup easy and ensures your Drop Sugar Cookies bake up with golden bottoms, never sticking or burning.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and almost cloud-like. This step is key—it creates air pockets that give your cookies their addictively tender bite.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the large egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat again, making sure everything is thoroughly incorporated so your cookies bake up with a rich, buttery flavor in every bite.
Step 4: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together. Doing this prevents any pockets of baking soda or lumps of flour, guaranteeing a smooth dough later on.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until everything blends together. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as those last streaks of flour disappear.
Step 6: Shape and Sugar Coat
Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about two inches between each. If you love a sugar crunch, gently roll each ball in granulated sugar for that classic sparkle.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10–12 minutes, watching for the edges to turn just barely golden while the centers are set but soft. Remove the baking sheet and let the Drop Sugar Cookies cool for two minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This pause finishes the bake without drying them out.
How to Serve Drop Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
These cookies are delicious as-is, but you can dress them up with colorful sprinkles, a simple glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of melted chocolate for a festive flair.
Side Dishes
Pair your cookies with a chilled glass of milk, a piping hot cup of coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat. They also shine alongside a fresh fruit platter or as part of any holiday dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack Drop Sugar Cookies high on a pretty cake stand, tuck them into gift boxes wrapped in ribbon, or use them as edible place cards for parties. For a playful twist, sandwich two with frosting or jam for a DIY cookie sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Drop Sugar Cookies soft and fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay perfect for up to a week—if they last that long! Add a slice of bread to the container to help maintain their soft texture.
Freezing
Baked cookies freeze beautifully: layer between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe bag or container and enjoy for up to three months. Unbaked dough can also be portioned and frozen; when a cookie craving strikes, just bake straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two to the bake time.
Reheating
To refresh cookies that have been stored or frozen, pop them in a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes. They’ll warm up beautifully, regaining that just-baked softness without becoming dry or crumbly.
FAQs
Can I add different flavors to Drop Sugar Cookies?
Absolutely! This recipe is a wonderful base for add-ins like citrus zest (think lemon or orange), almond extract, or even a handful of colorful sprinkles. Customize to fit your mood or the season.
What’s the secret to keeping Drop Sugar Cookies soft?
The trick is to avoid overbaking. Take them out as soon as the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. Cooling them on the pan for two minutes also helps retain moisture and that dreamy chew.
Can I make Drop Sugar Cookies with gluten-free flour?
Yes! Swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose blend for a gluten-free batch. Just keep an eye on the texture as different blends may absorb liquid differently, but the results are still delightful.
Do I have to roll the dough in sugar before baking?
Not at all! While rolling adds a gorgeous, sweet crunch to the exterior, skipping this step still results in wonderfully soft, classic cookies. You can also use colored sanding sugar for special occasions.
How far in advance can I make Drop Sugar Cookies?
You can bake the cookies up to a week ahead and store them airtight, or freeze baked cookies for longer. The dough itself can also be frozen in advance, making fresh-baked treats a breeze any day.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a cozy baking project with major reward for minimal effort, you really can’t go wrong with these Drop Sugar Cookies. They’re a true crowd-pleaser and so simple to master, making them the kind of recipe you’ll want to share with family, friends, and anyone who could use a little homemade joy in their day. Happy baking!
Print
Drop Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These easy Drop Sugar Cookies are a classic treat that everyone loves. Soft and delicious, they are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Additional:
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Form Dough: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and, if desired, roll in granulated sugar before placing them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden and the centers are set.
- Cool: Let cool on the pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For a soft texture, do not overbake.
- You can flavor these with almond extract, lemon zest, or top with sprinkles for variety.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
