Best 9 Sugar Cookies The Southern Way Recipes

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Sugar cookies have long been a staple of the Southern United States, often passed down through generations of families. With their sweet, crisp texture and simple yet comforting flavor, these cookies evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, discovering the best recipe for sugar cookies the Southern way is a delightful journey. From classic recipes that have stood the test of time to modern variations that incorporate unique ingredients and flavors, this article will guide you in finding the perfect recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth and create lasting memories in your kitchen.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EASY SUGAR COOKIES



Easy Sugar Cookies image

Homemade sugar cookies deliver a personal touch that no store-bought dough can replicate. Luckily, making this dough is just as quick and easy as driving to the grocery store to pick up a package of slice-n'-bakes. Make this sugar cookie dough ahead of time and store a disk in your freezer for a quick cookie swap solution or last-minute bake sale treat. It's important to chill your dough before rolling out and before baking to ensure that the cookies will keep their shape. You'll also want to ensure that, when you roll out the dough, the thickness is even all around (we recommend rolling to 1/4-inch thickness-don't be afraid to use a ruler). If your dough's thickness is uneven, the cookies' bake times will vary and the surfaces will slope, causing difficulty in piping decorations. Additionally, you'll want to ensure that your cookies have time to cool completely before decorating. These sugar cookies provide the ideal canvas for decorating with Royal Icing; just cut the cookies into festive shapes and decorate as you please. From stunning Christmas cookies to spooky Halloween cookies, the possibilities are endless.

Provided by Southern Living Editors

Categories     Cookies

Time 3h

Yield About 2 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Steps:

  • In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • Using an electric stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract; beat until combined. Reduce mixer speed and gradually spoon flour mixture in with butter mixture, beating on low speed until dough is smooth and well-blended.
  • Turn dough out on work surface. Cut dough in half and shape each portion into a compact disk. Wrap separately in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Unwrap 1 dough disk and roll on lightly-floured work surface to 1/4-inch thickness (lightly coat rolling pin with flour to prevent sticking). Cut into chosen shapes and place cookies 2 inches apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate cookies on baking sheets for 5 to 10 minutes to help them keep their shape when baked.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cookies just start to turn golden around the edges, rotating halfway through baking. Cool cookies completely on wire racks, about 20 minutes. Repeat process with remaining dough.

SUGAR COOKIES



Sugar Cookies image

This great holiday sugar cookie will be a favorite for years to come.

Provided by The Southern Lady Cooks

Categories     Cookies

Time 1h12m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup oil (I use Canola)
1 cup butter or margarine
2 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Cream sugars, oil and butter until fluffy. Beat in eggs. Add dry ingredients along with vanilla. Mix well. Chill dough 1 hour in refrigerator. Form into balls with your hands and place on sprayed or lightly greased cookie sheet.
  • Press flat with your palm or a glass. Sprinkle with colored sugar. Bake 12 to 15 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. Makes about 3 dozen depending on size of cookies.

CLASSIC SUGAR COOKIES



Classic Sugar Cookies image

These are the familiar cookies, with crispy edges and a slightly soft middle. Superfine sugar gives them their crunchiness. The small amount of baking powder ensures that they puff just a little without spreading too much and losing their shape.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 3h55m

Yield about 30 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup superfine sugar
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, at room temperature
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup meringue powder
Food coloring, optional
Decorating sugar, for topping, optional
Sprinkles, for topping, optional

Steps:

  • For the cookies: Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.
  • Beat the superfine sugar and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes; beat in the egg, then the vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix on medium-low speed until completely incorporated. Divide the dough in half, pat into 2 discs about 1/4 inch thick, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
  • Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Let the dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes to make rolling easier. Roll out 1 disc of dough at a time between 2 pieces of parchment paper until 1/8 inch thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and arrange about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake until the cookies are golden brown on the bottom, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets until firm enough to transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.
  • Gently gather any scraps of dough into a ball and press into a disc; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate the disc until firm enough to roll, about 1 hour. Cut out as many cookies as possible and bake.
  • For the royal icing: Beat the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and 1/3 cup water with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. Beat in the food coloring if using. (The icing can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.)
  • Decorate the cookies with the icing; top with decorating sugar and sprinkles if using.

SUGAR COOKIES



Sugar Cookies image

Get Alton Brown's simple Sugar Cookies recipe from Good Eats on Food Network, the perfect base for frosting, sprinkles and other sweet decorations.

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     dessert

Time 2h24m

Yield about 3 dozen-2 1/2 inch

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon milk
Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough

Steps:

  • Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add egg and milk and beat to combine. Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl. Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Sprinkle surface where you will roll out dough with powdered sugar. Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator at a time, sprinkle rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick. Move the dough around and check underneath frequently to make sure it is not sticking. If dough has warmed during rolling, place cold cookie sheet on top for 10 minutes to chill. Cut into desired shape, place at least 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet, parchment, or silicone baking mat, and bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around the edges, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking time. Let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes after removal from oven and then move to complete cooling on wire rack. Serve as is or ice as desired. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

5-INGREDIENT SUGAR COOKIES RECIPE



5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies Recipe image

When glazing, use a shallow bowl that will accommodate the entire cookie.

Provided by Southern Living Editors

Categories     Cookies

Time 2h

Yield Makes about 2 1/2 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar, divided
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Parchment paper
White nonpareils

Steps:

  • Beat butter and 1 cup sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat 30 seconds. Add flour, beating at low speed until combined.
  • Place dough on lightly floured parchment paper, and roll to 1/4-inch thickness. Transfer rolled dough and parchment paper to a baking sheet, and chill 15 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375°. Cut dough with lightly floured 2-inch cutters; place 1/2 inch apart on 2 parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Reroll scraps, and repeat process.
  • Bake, in batches, at 375° for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 30 minutes).
  • Whisk together 2 1/2 Tbsp. water and remaining 2 cups powdered sugar. Dip top of each cookie in glaze, and transfer to a wire rack in a jelly-roll pan. Sprinkle with nonpareils. Let stand 1 hour or until set.

SUPER SUGAR COOKIES



Super Sugar Cookies image

This recipe has been in my family for many years. They melt in your mouth!

Provided by Robin

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Sugar Cookies

Yield 108

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup butter
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Cream vegetable oil and butter or margarine. Add sugars and blend well. Add eggs and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients and add above. Refrigerate dough for several hours after mixing.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
  • Dough will be soft. Shape into balls. Dip in sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a glass dipped in sugar. Bake for 12 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 62.9 calories, Carbohydrate 6.5 g, Cholesterol 8 mg, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.6 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 46.7 mg, Sugar 3 g

SOFT SUGAR COOKIES V



Soft Sugar Cookies V image

These cookies, which contain sour cream, are the softest sugar cookies ever! I find that if I roll them a little thick and do not overbake, they are best and stay moist. Use whatever cookie cutters that suit the occasion!

Provided by Eileen Sieger

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Sugar Cookies

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup sour cream

Steps:

  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla and sour cream until well blended. Stir in the sifted ingredients. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch in thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 103 calories, Carbohydrate 14.3 g, Cholesterol 15.1 mg, Fat 4.5 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 75 mg, Sugar 6.3 g

SANDY'S SUPER SUGAR COOKIES



Sandy's Super Sugar Cookies image

Buttery, rich, and delicate; these are our favorite sugar cookies.

Provided by SandyG

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Sugar Cookies

Time 55m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 8

5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups butter, room temperature
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Sift flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
  • Beat butter and white sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; beat in vanilla extract. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture on low speed until dough is just-combined.
  • Divide dough into 4 portions; refrigerate 3 portions. Roll remaining portion out on a lightly-floured work surface to 1/4-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut dough into desired shapes and transfer cookies to prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until slightly golden at the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat rolling, cutting, and baking process with remaining dough portions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 311.2 calories, Carbohydrate 38.7 g, Cholesterol 56.2 mg, Fat 16 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 3.6 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 192.1 mg, Sugar 16.8 g

SOFT SUGAR COOKIES IV



Soft Sugar Cookies IV image

This Recipe is a State Fair Blue Ribbon winner. This is an easy sugar cookie recipe, you don't have to roll it out, and the cookies are soft and chewy, unlike other sugar cookies. Anybody can make these.

Provided by Laura Stearns

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Sugar Cookies

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 9

⅔ cup shortening
⅔ cup butter
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
⅓ cup granulated sugar for decoration

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, shortening and sugar. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt, stir into the creamed mixture until dough comes together. Roll dough into walnut sized balls and roll the balls in sugar. Place them on an unprepared cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until bottom is light brown. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 228.2 calories, Carbohydrate 29.4 g, Cholesterol 29.1 mg, Fat 11.4 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 180.1 mg, Sugar 15.4 g

Tips:

  • Soften Butter Properly: For even mixing and a smooth cookie dough, make sure the butter is softened to room temperature, which is usually between 65°F and 72°F (18°C and 22°C).
  • Chill the Dough: Before baking, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. This helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much in the oven.
  • Use Parchment Paper or a Silicone Mat: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent the cookies from sticking and for easy cleanup.
  • Bake at the Right Temperature: For crispy edges and a soft center, bake the cookies at a high temperature (400°F/200°C) for a short amount of time (8-10 minutes).
  • Avoid Over-Mixing: Over-mixing the dough can result in tough cookies. Mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined and no dry flour remains.
  • Decorate After Baking: Let the cookies cool completely before decorating them with sprinkles, icing, or other toppings. This helps the decorations stay in place and prevents them from melting.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, creating delicious Southern-style sugar cookies involves careful ingredient selection, proper technique, and attention to detail. Using high-quality ingredients, following the recipe precisely, and applying these helpful tips will result in soft, chewy, and flavorful sugar cookies that are sure to please everyone at your table. Remember to experiment with different flavorings, decorations, and toppings to create variations that suit your taste preferences. With a little practice and passion, you can master the art of making Southern-style sugar cookies and enjoy this classic treat whenever you crave a sweet and comforting bite.

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