Soft Sugar Cookies

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.

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

Cookdap 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 Cookdap 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.”