20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (2024)

Spritz Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (1)

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.

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Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies

Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (2)

Credit: Oxmoor House

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This dough will work for slice-and-bake cookies or as a rolled dough for your favorite cookie cutters.

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Marbled Sugar Cookies

Marbled Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (3)

Credit: Kat Teutsch; Styling: Jerrie-Joy for Pat Bates and Associates

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Beautiful Marbled Sugar Cookies will make a festive addition to your fall table.

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Lemon Sugar Cookies

Lemon Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (4)

Credit: Oxmoor House

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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.

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Basic Icebox Sugar Cookies

Basic Icebox Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (5)

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cathy Muir

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Create unlimited cookie variations with this classic slice-and-bake cookie.

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Classic Iced Sugar Cookies

Classic Iced Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (6)

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

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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.

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Big Crunchy Sugar Cookies

Big Crunchy Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (7)

Credit: Oxmoor House

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Sparkling sugar cookies are holiday classics. These goodies, which earn their name from a coating of coarse sugar, received our Test Kitchens highest rating.

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Sugar Cookie Stars

Sugar Cookie Stars

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (8)

Credit: Maura McEvoy

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Sandwich your favorite jam in between two star-shaped sugar cookies (made from storebought dough) for an easy, fruity cookie treat.

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Sugar Cookie Pops

Sugar Cookie Pops

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (9)

Credit: Oxmoor House

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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.

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Caramelized-Sugar Cookies

Caramelized-Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (10)

Credit: James Carrier

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Add the taste of caramel to these classic sugar cookies.

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Cornmeal Sugar Cookies

Cornmeal Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (11)

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

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"For me, the cornmeal gives a traditional sugar cookie a more complex crunch," says Robin. Cut the dough into desired shapes.

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Sugar Sand Cookies

Sugar Sand Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (12)

Credit: Alan Richardson; Styling: Betty Alfenito

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Customize your cookies with colorful sanding sugar.

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Crispy Vanilla Sugar Cookies

Crispy Vanilla Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (13)

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Crispy and tender, bet you can't eat just one!

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Spritz Cookies

Spritz Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (14)

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Linda Hirst

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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.

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Sparkling Snowflake Sugar Cookies

Sparkling Snowflake Sugar Cookies image

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (15)

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

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Adults will love these elegant cookies, made with a touch of brandy. And they're great for a Hanukkah party.

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Buttermilk Sugar Cookies

Buttermilk Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (16)

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Buttermilk gives these sugar cookies a tart, irresistible flavor.

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Vanilla Sugar Cookies

Vanilla Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (17)

Credit: William Dickey; Styling: Rose Nguyen

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The subtle hint of vanilla makes these sugar cookies a sweet treat.

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Rudolph's Christmas Sugar Cookies

Rudolph's Christmas Sugar Cookies

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (18)

Credit: Ralph Anderson; Mindi Shapiro Levine

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Start with refrigerated sugar cookie dough to make these adorable reindeer cookies. Kids can help place Rudolph's eyes, mouth, and antlers.

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Iced Whole-Wheat Sugar Cookies

Iced Whole-Wheat Sugar Cookies image

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (19)

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Catherine Crowell Steele; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

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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.

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Soft Sugar Cookie Trees

Soft Sugar Cookie Trees image

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (20)

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

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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.

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Sugar Cookie Mittens

Sugar Cookie Mittens

20 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes (21)

Credit: Gooseberry Patch

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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.

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