You cannot beat a homemade sugar cookie with a crisp edge and a soft center. These are the BEST! Topped with my favorite cream cheese frosting and sprinkles, these sugar cookies are a tried and true favorite.

Cookies are just the best all-around because you can bake them up for any occasion! Try my favorite no-bake cookies, peanut butter cookies, and these snickerdoodles that you will die for!

The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe

I sure do love sugar cookies! Some people’s favorites are chocolate chip but not mine. Not only are they delicious, but my kids love to help make sugar cookies! We love spending some time in the kitchen making cookies together. I have had a lot of sugar cookies in my day. Some are way too crisp and not soft enough on the inside. You are going to quickly agree that they are the best! Trust me. I made sure by eating at least 3! 

I love this recipe because it is the best of both worlds. They are a bit crisp on the outside but not too crispy, and they have the softest center! The edges don’t expand while baking, and they come out looking in the perfect shape. This recipe is a classic, and the dough comes together in a matter of minutes. But I found that the secret to the best sugar cookie is added almond extract. The almond extract adds a rich and delicious almond flavor, making them absolutely perfect.

Ingredients in Sugar Cookies

These cookies are perfect for your Valentine’s Day festivities and are so good that you will want to make them throughout the year! Just change up your cookie cutter, and you are ready to go! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient measurements.

• Butter: If your ingredients are at room temperature then they will mix together more smoothly. 
• Sugar: Granulated sugar will make this recipe sweet.
• Egg: The egg will help bind the dough together.
• Vanilla Extract: This will enhance the flavors of the sweet ingredients.
• Almond Extract: The secret ingredient to making these sugar cookies the best!
• Flour: I used all purpose flour for this recipe.
• Baking Powder: This helps the cookie be soft and not chewy.
• Salt: This enhances the flavors.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream Cheese: Put this on your counter before you plan to bake so that it can soften up.
• Butter: I used unsalted, sofened butter to make the frosting smooth,
• Powdered Sugar: Using powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar works better because this diddolves quickly and creats a smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: This enhances the sweetness of the frosting.
• Food Coloring: This is totally optional depending on if you want your frosting to be different colors for different occasions.

How To Make Sugar Cookies

These cookies come together so easily! This recipe will become your favorite go-to sugar cookie recipe that you will make again and again.

1. Beat: In a large bowl beat the butter until smooth and creamy for about one minute. Add the sugar and continue to beat until creamy for about 2 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract and continue to beat until incorporated.
2. Mix and chill: In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add to the creamed mixture and continue to beat until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a ball and chill in the fridge for one hour and can be chilled overnight.
3. Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Roll dough out to desired thickness (mine were 1/4 inch thick) and cut with cookie cutters. Transfer to baking sheet.
4. Bake: Bake for 8-11 minutes or until just set. I like mine more soft so I cooked mine for 8 minutes. Let cookies cool completely before frosting.
5. Frost: To make the cream cheese frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until it is smooth and creamy. Frost cooled cookies.