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Pasta Chicken

Vanilla Sugar Cookies

Published: Dec 12, 2013 | 58 Comments

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Vanilla Sugar Cookies – these basic cookies are a must for Christmas or other festive event, such as birthday or anniversary. Make them festive by adding sprinkles! Also, read my note below for how to make sure that these vanilla sugar cookies have a perfect texture and are not dry.

Vanilla sugar cookies with sprinkles

So, are you looking for a simple, delicious, and festive Holiday cookie recipe that does not involve a lot of time and effort but still looks like a true Christmas cookie?   Then, try these perfectly shaped vanilla sugar cookies, decorated with colorful sprinkles!  My other favorite simple Christmas cookie recipes are these almond shortbread cookies and pecan shortbread cookies.

Do you notice this really cute, rounded (not flat) shape of these cookies? It makes them very attractive, and the secret to achieving such rounded cookie top is to roll the cookie dough into 1-inch balls (then roll in sprinkles), freeze them for 30 min, then refrigerate for 30 min and only then do you bake the cookies.

Vanilla sugar cookies with sprinkles

As a result, your vanilla sugar cookies will have this nice rounded top:

Vanilla sugar cookies with sprinkles

Rolling the cookies generously in sprinkles creates a festive look without much effort. This is a perfect vanilla sugar cookie recipe if you don’t have time to frost them or otherwise decorate them.

How to avoid dry cookie dough?

Is your cookie dough too dry and the cookies crumble after baking? Here is how to make sure it doesn’t happen.

It usually happens because you have used too much flour. So, let’s make sure we measure the flour the right way.  The proper way to measure flour using measuring cups is to aerate it first.

  • Aerate the flour by sifting it using a strainer.

or

  • Aerate the flour by fluffing it up and whisking it well, then spooning it into the measuring cup, then carefully removing any excess flour with a knife. If you just stick that measuring cup in the bag of flour and scoop some out, you will get a lot more flour than what the recipe calls for. Do aerate the flour, or you will end up with dry cookie dough!

Vanilla sugar cookies with sprinkles

I am usually very short on time so rolling these Christmas cookies in sprinkles works for me as a perfect way to dress them up!

I love this recipe and will definitely be making these vanilla sugar cookies again!

4.75 from 4 votes
vanilla sugar cookies with sprinkles
Print
Vanilla Sugar Cookies
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 

Perfectly shaped vanilla sugar cookies, decorated with colorful sprinkles.  These are easy to make and they look super festive for Christmas and other holidays without much effort. 

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 40 cookies
Calories: 96 kcal
Ingredients
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour , sifted or aerated – see my notes below
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 8 oz unsalted butter (226 grams), room temperature (let the butter from refrigerator sit on the counter for about an hour or so), not melted but softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract pure
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, combine together flour and salt and mix.
  2. In a separate bowl, using electric mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light in color and fluffy. Add an egg and vanilla – continue beating for a couple minutes. Turn off the electric mixer, add flour-salt mixture and then continue beating on low speed until well-combined but without over mixing.
  3. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Roll these cookie balls in sprinkles. Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Freeze until firm, for about 30 minutes.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees F in the preheated oven for 14 minutes. Do not over-bake. Remove from the oven, and transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe Notes

Recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart

Important note about properly measuring flour using measuring cups:
The proper way to measure flour using measuring cups is to aerate it first. This is done either by sifting flour, or aerating it by fluffing it up and whisking it well, then spooning it into the measuring cup, then carefully removing any excess flour with a knife. If you just stick that measuring cup in the bag of flour and scoop some out, you will get a lot more flour than what the recipe calls for. Do aerate the flour, or you will end up with dry dough!

Nutrition Facts
Vanilla Sugar Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 96 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 16mg5%
Sodium 16mg1%
Potassium 12mg0%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 150IU3%
Calcium 3mg0%
Iron 0.5mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Filed Under: Baking, Christmas, Cookies, Dessert, Recipe Published: Dec 12, 2013 58 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hailey

    Jun 18, 2020 at 5:44 pm

    They were alright, mine didn’t have much flavor. maybe it’s just because I prefer chocolate though. but great for people who only like vanilla/sugar flavored things

    Reply
  2. shiloh bergeron

    Mar 30, 2020 at 2:29 pm

    me and my mom made them and we loved them all though we didn’t use that much sprickals
    thanks for the great resepie

    Reply
  3. Chelsea S

    Feb 17, 2019 at 11:47 am

    Excellent cookies, rave reviews all around. Followed the recipe exactly including her specific directions for measuring the flour. Who knew?! Not only did we learn a lot about baking but the results were excellent. Our tip is to make sure you only use high end pure vanilla, not extract, as these cookies shine as truly vanilla rich cookies! Thanks

    Reply
    • Julia

      Feb 17, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      Chelsea, thank you for such a kind comment! I am so glad you found this recipe useful! Great tip about using the best vanilla for this recipe.

      Reply
  4. Kara

    Dec 25, 2018 at 9:23 am

    Our cookies did not turn out well 🙁 They were very dry and not flavorful.

    Reply
  5. Autumn Roberts

    Oct 03, 2018 at 4:33 pm

    These were so easy and delicious! My 3 year old had a great time rolling them in the sprinkles! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!

    Reply
    • Julia

      Oct 05, 2018 at 2:26 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Corliss

    Oct 25, 2016 at 8:16 am

    Very pretty cookies! Looking forward to make them for my niece and husband who loves sprinkles. Will they work with Gluten free flour and flax egg?

    Reply
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