Spritz Cookies
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Linda Hirst
You don't need a special occasion to indulge in these classic sugar cookies. Dress them up or dress them down for a great dessert table presentation.Whether you're looking to satisfy guests' sweet tooth cravings at the next holiday gathering, or simply have a great item to gift to friends and family, these cookies are the perfect answer.
Start Slideshow
1 of 20
Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies
Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies
Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
This dough will work for slice-and-bake cookies or as a rolled dough for your favorite cookie cutters.
1 of 20
Advertisement
Advertisement
2 of 20
Marbled Sugar Cookies
Marbled Sugar Cookies
Credit: Kat Teutsch; Styling: Jerrie-Joy for Pat Bates and Associates
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Beautiful Marbled Sugar Cookies will make a festive addition to your fall table.
2 of 20
3 of 20
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
The stark contrast between the sweet sugars and the tart lemon juice gives these cookies personality and bite. They're a great afternoon treat with coffee or tea.
3 of 20
Advertisement
4 of 20
Basic Icebox Sugar Cookies
Basic Icebox Sugar Cookies
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cathy Muir
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Create unlimited cookie variations with this classic slice-and-bake cookie.
4 of 20
5 of 20
Classic Iced Sugar Cookies
Classic Iced Sugar Cookies
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Whether you're welcoming kids home from school, baking a treat for a party, or enjoying an afternoon to yourself, these cookies are the just-right sweet you need. If you want to create colorful cookies, divide the icing into portions and use food coloring to tint it different hues.
5 of 20
6 of 20
Big Crunchy Sugar Cookies
Big Crunchy Sugar Cookies
Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Sparkling sugar cookies are holiday classics. These goodies, which earn their name from a coating of coarse sugar, received our Test Kitchens highest rating.
6 of 20
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
7 of 20
Sugar Cookie Stars
Sugar Cookie Stars
Credit: Maura McEvoy
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Sandwich your favorite jam in between two star-shaped sugar cookies (made from storebought dough) for an easy, fruity cookie treat.
7 of 20
8 of 20
Sugar Cookie Pops
Sugar Cookie Pops
Credit: Oxmoor House
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
To bake these adorable cookie pops, simply roll balls of sugar cookie dough in colored sprinkles and insert a white craft stick before baking. Make a colorful (and edible) centerpiece for the kids' table by filling a container with florist foam, topping it with jelly beans, and then sticking the pops into the foam.
8 of 20
9 of 20
Caramelized-Sugar Cookies
Caramelized-Sugar Cookies
Credit: James Carrier
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Add the taste of caramel to these classic sugar cookies.
9 of 20
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
10 of 20
Cornmeal Sugar Cookies
Cornmeal Sugar Cookies
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
"For me, the cornmeal gives a traditional sugar cookie a more complex crunch," says Robin. Cut the dough into desired shapes.
10 of 20
11 of 20
Sugar Sand Cookies
Sugar Sand Cookies
Credit: Alan Richardson; Styling: Betty Alfenito
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Customize your cookies with colorful sanding sugar.
11 of 20
12 of 20
Crispy Vanilla Sugar Cookies
Crispy Vanilla Sugar Cookies
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Crispy and tender, bet you can't eat just one!
12 of 20
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
13 of 20
Spritz Cookies
Spritz Cookies
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Linda Hirst
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
No holiday dessert table is complete without Spritz Cookies. For truly authentic Spritz Cookies, be sure to invest in a cookie press to get that oh-so-perfect shape.
13 of 20
14 of 20
Sparkling Snowflake Sugar Cookies
Sparkling Snowflake Sugar Cookies image
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Adults will love these elegant cookies, made with a touch of brandy. And they're great for a Hanukkah party.
14 of 20
15 of 20
Buttermilk Sugar Cookies
Buttermilk Sugar Cookies
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Buttermilk gives these sugar cookies a tart, irresistible flavor.
15 of 20
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
16 of 20
Vanilla Sugar Cookies
Vanilla Sugar Cookies
Credit: William Dickey; Styling: Rose Nguyen
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
The subtle hint of vanilla makes these sugar cookies a sweet treat.
16 of 20
17 of 20
Rudolph's Christmas Sugar Cookies
Rudolph's Christmas Sugar Cookies
Credit: Ralph Anderson; Mindi Shapiro Levine
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Start with refrigerated sugar cookie dough to make these adorable reindeer cookies. Kids can help place Rudolph's eyes, mouth, and antlers.
17 of 20
18 of 20
Iced Whole-Wheat Sugar Cookies
Iced Whole-Wheat Sugar Cookies image
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Catherine Crowell Steele; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Whole-wheat flour adds a layer of complexity to these cookies that all-purpose flour can't achieve; the wheat in the whole grain actually enhances the flavors of butter and vanilla. Unlike classic royal icing, which starts with a pound of powdered sugar, we use just 1/2 cup and thicken it with Greek yogurt. Looking for festive colors without the chemicals? Try naturally colored sparkling sugars (such as those from India Tree), which use colorants derived from plants.
18 of 20
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
19 of 20
Soft Sugar Cookie Trees
Soft Sugar Cookie Trees image
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
These tender cookies are even better when topped with cream cheese icing. Make the dough up to 2 days ahead. It will be easier to roll when it's very cold.
19 of 20
20 of 20
Sugar Cookie Mittens
Sugar Cookie Mittens
Credit: Gooseberry Patch
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab
Cozy up with these fun and festive Sugar Cookie Mittens for the holiday season. Pour a glass of milk, pull up a seat by the fire, and prepare to indulge in a fabulous sweet treat.