Name: Soft Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 0.333 cup colored decorating sugar; 0.66666668653488 cup shortening; 0.66666668653488 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1.5 cups white sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3.5 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

25 mins

Servings:

24

Yield:

24 cookies

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Did you know you can make bakery-worthy soft sugar cookies at home with pantry staples you likely already have on hand? This soft sugar cookie recipe will quickly become a staple in your dessert rotation.

round cookies decorated for Valentine's Day with pink frosting and piped white frosting hearts and swirls — magicallydelicious

Soft Sugar Cookie Ingredients

These are the ingredients you'll need to make this irresistibly soft sugar cookie recipe:

· Shortening and butter: This sugar cookie recipe calls for both shortening and butter for the softest, most tender results.
· Sugars: The cookies are sweetened with white sugar and decorated (if desired) with colored decorating sugar.
· Eggs: Whole eggs add moisture and act as a binding agent.
· Vanilla: Vanilla extract lends complexity and enhances the overall flavor.
· Flour: All-purpose flour creates structure and helps hold the dough together.
· Baking powder: Baking powder acts as a leavener, which means it helps the cookies rise.
· Salt: A teaspoon of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these super soft sugar cookies:

1. Beat the wet ingredients together.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
3. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir to combine.
4. Roll the dough into balls and roll in decorating sugar (if desired).
5. Bake until the cookies are light brown on the bottom.

How to Store Soft Sugar Cookies

Store these sugar cookies in a shallow, airtight container for up to four days. Place a slice of bread in the container to absorb the dry air — this will keep the cookies extra soft.

Learn more: How to Store Cookies so They Stay Fresh Longer

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This is a great sugar cookie recipe," according to suzi. "All of the kids loved them. I frosted them with a powdered sugar frosting that I use for cut-out cookies. The cookies turned out perfect."

"This was the sugar cookie recipe I was looking for," says one Allrecipes community member. "It came together easily in my stand mixer and turned out perfect... soft and sweet! I used a cookie scoop to make handling the dough easier... it's very sticky."

"Amazing," says MCSPAD85. "Everybody loves them and they always remain soft even a couple days after baking. Although they never last that long."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

⅓ cup colored decorating sugar
⅔ cup shortening
⅔ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place decorating sugar in a small bowl (or use several colors and separate bowls).
Beat shortening and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in sugar until incorporated, then mix in eggs, one at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in vanilla.
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until combined. Gradually add to the wet ingredients and mix until incorporated and the dough comes together.
Roll dough into walnut-sized balls. Roll each ball in sugar to coat, then place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake in the preheated oven until light brown on the bottoms, 10 to 12 minutes, switching racks halfway through. Remove from the oven and transfer to wire racks to cool.

magicallydelicious

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

226	Calories
11g	Fat
29g	Carbs
3g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 226
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g	15%
Saturated Fat 5g	24%
Cholesterol 29mg	10%
Sodium 129mg	6%
Total Carbohydrate 29g	10%
Dietary Fiber 1g	2%
Protein 3g
Calcium 29mg	2%
Iron 1mg	6%
Potassium 28mg	1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.