Description
These soft and buttery eggless sugar cookies are easy to make with pantry staples and bake with lightly crisp edges and tender centers. Perfect as drop cookies or cut-out cookies for decorating on holidays and special occasions.
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened to room temperature (2 sticks)
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)
2 tbsp whole milk
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (343 grams)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- Beat the softened butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the softened cream cheese, whole milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
- For drop cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll the dough into 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls, coat each in the reserved sugar, place on a prepared baking sheet, and flatten to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick.
- Bake the drop cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set and the tops are slightly puffy and crinkled. Cool for several minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- For cut-out cookies, divide the dough into two discs and roll each between parchment sheets to 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Cut shapes with cookie cutters and transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake at 350°F for 7 to 9 minutes until the edges are just beginning to brown lightly.
- Cool for several minutes, transfer to a wire rack, and allow to cool completely before decorating.
Notes
Add lemon zest for a bright citrus flavor or increase the almond extract for a stronger bakery-style taste.
Mix colorful sprinkles into the dough for festive cookies.
Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing, buttercream, or powdered sugar glaze.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Microwave for a few seconds to restore softness if desired.
Flatten drop cookies before baking, as the dough spreads very little.
Freeze unbaked dough portions for future use and thaw before shaping and baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 115 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
