This is the BEST soft sugar cookie recipe! These drop sugar cookies are chewy and soft and perfect with or without frosting.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cookie
Prep Time 30minutes
Cook Time 15minutes
Total Time 45minutes
Servings 17cookies (depending on size)
Calories 222kcal
Author Dorothy Kern
Ingredients
For the Cookies
3/4cup unsalted butter, softened170g
3/4cupgranulated sugar149g
1large egg
1large egg yolk
1teaspoon vanilla extract5 ml
1/2teaspoonbaking soda
1/2teaspooncream of tartar
1/2teaspoonsalt
2cups all-purpose flour248g
For the frosting
4tablespoonsunsalted butter, softened47g
1 1/3cups powdered sugar151g
1teaspoon vanilla extract5ml
1/8teaspoonsalt
1tablespoonmilk15 ml
Food coloringif desired
Sprinklesoptional
Instructions
Make the Cookies:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheet with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl with a hand mixer). Cream until the mixture is fluffy, about one minute.
Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix until smooth, then mix in baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Add flour and mix until cookie dough forms.
Scoop 2 tablespoon sized balls 2-inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 11-15 minutes, or until the bottoms are just starting get golden and the top is no longer glossy. Cool at least 10 minutes on cookie sheet before removing. Cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting:
Mix butter in a large bowl with a hand mixer until smooth, then slowly mix in the powdered sugar a bit at a time. The mixture will be very crumbly. Add the vanilla and mix, then mix in the salt and milk. Beat until smooth and creamy.
Tint with food coloring, if desired.
Frost cooled cookies. Store loosely covered.
Alternate preparation:
Scoop balls of cookie dough and roll them in sugar or cinnamon sugar before baking. Skip frosting. OR
Add 1 cup of sprinkles to the dough before scooping. Skip frosting.