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How to make vanilla sugar cookies

February 24, 2009 by Louise 130 Comments

vanilla sugar cookies

I have had so many request on the recipe that I use when I make sugar cookies. I know there are a few popular cookie recipes out there such as the “NFSC” (No Fail Sugar Cookies) I have tried the recipe but I failed so badly with it. So what works for me is a shortbread type of cookie without baking powder. The best one, is a recipe that I have slightly adapted from Peggy Porschens fabulous cake book.

Most sugar cookies is made with sugar only. But I like to add confectioners sugar to the recipe aswell. Of course you can use only sugar for the recipe if you like.

You can make this cookie dough on the mixer but if you dont have one then it is just as easy and quick to make it with a spoon and clean hands 😉 Either way it is important that you dont overwork the dough because that can cause the cookies to spread more during baking. Use a pair of spacers (mine are from PME) when rolling out the cookie dough. This gives a perfect thickness to your cookies especially if you are making cookie lolly pop’s.

I know many like to roll out the soft dough between two sheets of parchment paper as soon it has been made and then chill the dough before cutting. Well my refrigerator is not that big to do that, so what I do is simply to take out the cold dough. Knead it lightly, roll out the dough and cut out the cookies. The most important is that you find a way that works the best for you. If the dough should get to soft. Wrap it up and put it back in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.

Vanilla Sugar Cookies

Serving Size: 56g

Calories per serving: 250kcal

Fat per serving: 116kcal

Vanilla Sugar Cookies

This recipe is inspired by many of the great bakers that have inspired me to bake.

Ingredients

  • (11 oz) granulated/caster white sugar
  • (OR 200 grams (7 oz) sugar and 100 grams (4 oz) of confectioners powdered sugar)
  • 300 grams (11 oz) of unsalted butter, diced.
  • 2 large eggs.
  • 1 tsp of vanilla.
  • 500-550 grams (18-19 oz) all-purpose flour, sifted.
  • Extra flour for kneading and rolling.

Instructions

  1. In a bowl or in the kitchen mixer with paddle attachment, mix the two types of sugar, vanilla and the egg. Add the flour and the butter and keep mixing just until the dough comes together.
  2. Knead the dough lightly by hand on your flour dusted kitchen counter and wrap it well in cling film and put it in a plastic bag. Chill the dough for 2 hours.
  3. I always roll out my dough on a sheet of parchment paper lightly dusted with flour and I set my oven to 325F (170C) when I bake cookies and place the baking tray in the middle of the oven.

Notes

TIP: Depending on size I bake them from 15-20 mins. You want them to be light golden brown without being raw in the middle.

You can read and learn more about cookie making and decoration techniques here:
How to make a cookie template
How to make royal icing
How to make marshmallow fondant
How to flood a cookie with royal icing
How to make a butterfly cookie
How to make a Christmas cookie ornament
How to make a Christmas wreath cookie

Happy Caking

Louise

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. :D

    May 9, 2015 at 7:57 AM

    What does the confectioner sugar do differently to the sugar cookies comppared to using all granulated sugar? Most sugar cookies are baked at 350. Will baking at 325 for longer period give you a crispier cookie?

    Reply
  2. Anna

    May 13, 2014 at 1:56 AM

    Hi, I am looking to make these a few days in advance. Will they last and taste ok? How is it best to keep them? (Dry, airtight container?)

    Reply
  3. Rene

    April 28, 2014 at 5:55 PM

    The link to the recipe for the vanilla sugar cookies is no longer active. Can you send the recipe to me via email?

    Reply
  4. Cynthia

    June 28, 2013 at 6:29 PM

    Louise,

    Do you store your unbaked cookie dough in order to make it in advance? What is the best way to store (refrigerator vs. freezer) and for how long does it keep well? Thank you!! 🙂

    Reply
  5. kirsten

    February 12, 2013 at 5:29 AM

    Hello,, °̩’m kirsten,, and I’d love to learn how to make these? Where abouts are u? I stay in johannesburg?:)

    Reply
    • Louise

      February 14, 2013 at 2:00 PM

      Sorry, but I don’t teach. I have a few cookie tutorials posted so I hope that you can use those?

      Reply
  6. Lydia

    January 18, 2013 at 3:24 AM

    Hi, thank you for the great recipe. Just wondering if I should chill the dough in the fridge? Also, is it okay to leave the dough overnight and then bake them the next day? Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  7. Bri

    December 25, 2012 at 4:54 AM

    Hello!

    I made this cookie recipe for my Christmas cookies and it turned out perfectly! The texture is great with a little crunch and they kept their shape beautifully from my cookie cutters. This will be my go to cookie recipe from now on. Happy Holidays from the USA!

    Reply
  8. IFY EZECHUKWU

    August 6, 2012 at 3:52 PM

    hello LOUISE, CAN I USE MARGARINE INSTEAD OF BUTTER. AND IF SO, DO I NEED TO CHILL BEFORE ROLLING OUT?

    Reply
    • Louise

      August 20, 2012 at 11:02 AM

      Only use butter! You will not get the great taste if using margarine.

      Reply
  9. Rs

    May 26, 2012 at 6:10 AM

    Just finished baking these cookies with my 3 and 6 yr old girls. They are simply delicious. Thank you for posting. Can one use gluten free flour and still yield the same result?

    Reply
    • Louise

      June 3, 2012 at 12:23 PM

      I have not tired sorry. If you do a test I would like to know how it goes/taste.

      Reply
  10. Evelyn

    May 14, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    I love this cookie recipe! And of course your decorating tips are amazing!I want to make them ahead of time for my sons graduation party. I have to make about 50 of them. I was wondering if I could bake them, flood them with the royal icing and then freeze them?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Louise

      May 14, 2012 at 7:14 PM

      I would bake the 50 cookies and then freeze them without RI. Try and organize your decoration of the cookies instead. Have all cookies laying ready for outline, flooding and drying. When they are dry do the rest of the decoration. Now, I don’t know which kind of cookies that you will be making and if they are difficult to do but I would not trust placing them in the freezer. Again decorated cookies is OK to eat if they are decorated within a month. As long as you store them correct.

      Reply
  11. Elle

    May 12, 2012 at 1:24 AM

    Hi, just wondering if I bake this recipe using the Wilton Cookie pops star pan, do I need to chill the dough first? It doesn’t need to be rolled out, just pressed in to the pan. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Louise

      May 14, 2012 at 7:35 PM

      I think that I would press the dough in the pan and then chill before baking.

      Reply
  12. Lorynne Heyns

    April 20, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    Amazing cookie recipe. Thanks for all your fab tutorials. I add rose essence to both cookie dough and icing. Lurrrrvly!!!

    Reply
  13. ANNE hannon

    January 19, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    Hi Louise,Thank you for your quick response to my post to you,Louise I cannot remember the post that I made my comment on.But would like to say A big Thank you to you for being a great and sharing person you are,I Know that a lot of the people on here are learning some great tips and step by steps,from you myself included thank you so much.Anne x

    Reply
  14. Jen

    September 19, 2011 at 2:54 AM

    I made the cookie dough today and used the following conversions:         7/8 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, 22 tablespoons butter (2 3/4 sticks), 3 eggs (wanted to make sure that the dough was not too dry), approximately 4.5 cups sifted flour.   I added some almond extract for a little more flavor.  They really turned out great.                         

    Reply
  15. Katemora

    August 22, 2011 at 12:09 AM

    I just made this cookies and they are TERRIBLE!!!  I love any kind of cookies and candies, but this recipe is not good.  But it’s ok since this is not your recipe.  However, your decoration is AMAZING!!!!!!!! Everything you make is beautiful

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      August 22, 2011 at 4:46 PM

      I’m sorry to hear that you find it terrible. I personally think that this is the best 😉 I hope that you have your own best cookie recipe 🙂

      Reply
  16. Mar

    August 21, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    I am right now trying your recipe!
    It smell great and we are sure it will taste as good as it smells.
    Thanks for this blog and your great ideas.

    Reply
  17. Tiffany

    July 7, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    How do you get your cookies to be such a nice brown color,not the icing but the cookie itself.  It is so pretty and seems a little darker than the regular vanilla sugar cookie recipe

    Thanks, I am a new follower too!  I love the site

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      July 9, 2011 at 6:19 PM

      I don’t do anything different, they always looks this way. Maybe it’s the recipe?

      Reply
  18. Anonymous

    May 22, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Yes, it should have been there already…. I will make sure to add it.

    Reply
  19. sharlene

    April 12, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Hi Louise,
    can i just roll out e dough between parchment paper and chill it? or do i have to cling wrap it and roll out e dough later on? what’s e difference? thanks!

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      May 22, 2011 at 7:40 PM

      Yes you can if you like. I preferred the last method better myself.

      Reply
    • Anonymous

      May 22, 2011 at 7:40 PM

      Yes you can if you like. I preferred the last method better myself.

      Reply
  20. Wandawitch1956

    April 11, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    This is the best cookie recipe I have ever tried. The shapes stay crisp and sharp and the flavour is delicious. Thank you for sharing! Claire

    Reply
  21. Anonymous

    March 1, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    How thick/thin do you roll the dough? It should not be thinner than 5mm

    Reply
  22. Roonie

    February 23, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Hi. I loe this blog. I made the sugar cookies exactly as stated and they came out rock hard. Any suggestions on why?

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      February 23, 2011 at 8:43 PM

      It’s hard to say when I can’t take a bit 🙂 Too much flour? Baked too long? How thick did you roll the dough out?

      My cookies are also hard, but not rock hard.

      Reply
      • Roonie

        February 23, 2011 at 8:57 PM

        I rolled it out about 1/4 for the lollipop stick to fit in. Maybe too much flour. I weighed it out and it was 18.5 ounces. Is that too much? They are REALLY hard. I wasn’t sure if that is how they are suppose to be. I am actually going to have to throw them away. But I will try it again with less flour. thanks for the quick response. Your things are beautiful.

      • Anonymous

        February 23, 2011 at 9:27 PM

        No, because according to the recipe it says 18-19 oz. I have used this recipe for quite some time now and have never had any problems. Did you use only granulated sugar? Or powdered and G.sugar? I find that only G.sugar cookies get a bit harder than if I used half powdered sugar and granulated. But you can try and hold back some of the flour next time. As long and you can gather the dough together it will get harder when it chill in the refrigerator. Sorry that they did not turn out great the first time.

      • Roonie

        February 23, 2011 at 9:34 PM

        No problem. I am sure it is something I did. I did use half cs and half gran. I will try less flour. Can you freeze the raw dough? thank you so much for your help. You are awesome!!

      • Anonymous

        February 23, 2011 at 10:01 PM

        Yes, no problem freezing.

  23. Jess'-

    November 30, 2010 at 9:54 AM

    OMG! I really love this post!
    and btw all the layouts are simply amazing!
    Thanks for sharing the recipe ♥

    XOXO

    Reply
  24. Marcia

    October 2, 2010 at 9:45 AM

    Hi Louise after icing these cookies with royal icing will the cookie end up being soft since it’s left out for the icing to dry? If so, is there a way to get around this so I can have crunchy cookies with lovely royal icing? I have read somewhere that you can put the iced and dried cookies back in the oven on low heat for the moisture in the cookies to get sucked out. Have you tried this?? I’m afraid my icing will melt!

    Reply
  25. Louise

    September 29, 2010 at 3:18 PM

    Luly: good that you can use it.

    Helga: You can find yummy cookie recipes on this site https://www.joyofbaking.com/

    Reply
  26. beth

    September 26, 2010 at 10:47 AM

    thanxx i will make them tomorrow

    Reply
  27. Nani

    August 6, 2010 at 5:55 AM

    Hi Louise, I want to thank you for sharing your sugar cookie recipe. I did it, and my cookies are perfect.

    Reply
  28. mahes Yong

    July 5, 2010 at 8:12 AM

    Thanks for the receipe. I’m gonna try it out this weekend for my son’s 21st birthday as door gifts to all my guests.

    Reply
  29. Helga

    July 2, 2010 at 1:01 AM

    Louise,
    I never bake a cookie before, I prefer doing cakes. But now I found you…and want to try these cookies. They look great…do you have other recipe because I want to try them all…. hahahahha

    Reply
  30. Luly

    June 24, 2010 at 6:22 AM

    Louise, I want to thank you for all the great tips your sharing with us specially this one https://www.gramstoounces.org/ I think is wonderful.
    Thanks!

    Reply
  31. Louise

    May 13, 2010 at 9:15 PM

    mila: You can download my cookie templates here: https://cakejournal.com/archives/cookie-templates

    Reply
  32. mila

    April 29, 2010 at 1:47 PM

    hi louise…
    i love your cupcakes cookies cutter…
    i would likke to have one.
    how and where can i buy it??

    Reply
  33. Louise

    April 26, 2010 at 9:36 PM

    Rowena: It could maybe have something to do with the flour? I have for a while used another brand of flour and this just dont work well together with this recipe. When I roll out the chilled dough it do make cracks all around the edge.

    Reply
  34. Rowena

    April 16, 2010 at 11:14 AM

    Hi Louise, I am making this recipe right now but I am having trouble getting them to a dough like form. They are all like crumbs even when I knead them by hand. Please help me! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  35. Louise

    March 15, 2010 at 11:55 PM

    Deepika: Did you use plain flour? Great that they came out perfect 🙂

    Reply
  36. Deepika

    March 15, 2010 at 7:46 PM

    Just to say i used this recipe and made my baby shower cookies from them! (rocking horses) They came out perfect and tasted yummeee! Thanks a lot Louise – going to keep this recipe close to heart! 🙂 Dee xx

    Reply
  37. Deepika

    March 10, 2010 at 12:50 PM

    Hi Louise I’m going to try this recipe this week! Need to make some baby shower cookies! 😛 Could I just ask one thing – I’m in UK – what would be closest to all purpose flour? Plain or Self raising? Thanks a mil! Dee x PS. I just love your site! x

    Reply
  38. Louise

    January 3, 2010 at 10:55 PM

    Ally: THX

    Reply
  39. Ally

    December 28, 2009 at 7:35 AM

    Dear Louise, thank you very much for sharing your baking tips with us, it has really inspired me to take my baking a step further.

    I’ve always had problems converting US recipes too (we use the metric system here in Malaysia), something to remember is that different ingredients have different mass, therefore (for example) 1 cup confectioners/powdered/icing sugar DOES NOT equal 1 cup castor sugar in weight. I can’t wait to try making the cookie lollies! =)

    Reply
  40. Louise

    December 25, 2009 at 11:03 PM

    Elma: you can freeze decorated cookies as well. First you put them in the freezer in 1 layer and just on a tray. When they are frozen you pack them in layers with parchment in between. When you want to use them take them out and place them on a cooling rack to thaw.

    tiffany: Here our eggs comes in S-M-L & XL sizes. But normal size eggs is fine to use.

    Reply
  41. tiffany

    December 4, 2009 at 2:19 AM

    what do you mean by 2 large eggs?

    Reply
  42. leanna youssef

    December 3, 2009 at 6:15 AM

    theese thing are just so nice andd they are fun to make i made them for my friends and they loved them they want the recipe they are just sensatinoal yummy

    thnxs

    Reply
  43. Lisa Marie Albazouni

    December 3, 2009 at 6:12 AM

    i love this i made it for my mumma on her birthday and she said they tasted fantabulous !

    Reply
  44. elma

    November 25, 2009 at 10:56 AM

    as a follow-up,how do i store decorated cookies? can i freeze my decorated cookies (royal icing or fondant) weeks before i give it out?

    Reply
  45. Louise

    November 20, 2009 at 12:39 AM

    elma: You can easily freeze your un-decorated cookies. Just pack them in parchment layers in air thight boxes when they are cool. When you are going to decorate them just take them out and plac ethe cookies on cooling racks to thaw.

    I would say that you can decorate and pack the cookies up to 1-2 weeks before giving them. They will still be nice and fresh. Just remember to let the cookies dry proberly before packing that is with iced cookies for fondant cookies I always let them “dry” overnight under a clean kitchen towel before packing them. Otherwise they will get marks on the fondant.

    Good luck!

    Reply
  46. elma

    November 17, 2009 at 9:01 AM

    Hi Louise, i would like to make this cookies as giveaway for christmas, i read in some comments that you can bake this a month before. just want to know what do you do after you freeze the cookies?do i put it back in the oven? i’ll be giving this away to around 30persons, i saw a nice cookie plate (where i will put and wrap the cookies in) in the supermarket that’s why i thought of making cookies but i can’t make it only in a day, so i’m preparing of making it weeks before christmas. please let me know how you do it so it stay fresh and crisp. thanks, i love your site very much!

    Reply
  47. Louise

    October 20, 2009 at 8:27 PM

    Candice: I always let my cookies dry over night before I continue decorating or pack them in layers in air thight containers. Always let them dry a bit longer to be sure that they are completely dry, before packing!

    Emma: This is the recipe I always use and mine taste great. It is important that when you knead the dough before chilling in the fridge use only a minimum extra flour. The same when rolling out the dough. You can of course try and only use 400g of flour next time.

    Reply
  48. Emma

    October 16, 2009 at 8:47 PM

    I’ve been following your blog for a while now and finally got round to using one of your recipes!
    The cookies I made tasted slightly floury, did I do something wrong when I was making them?

    Reply
  49. Candice

    October 16, 2009 at 5:29 PM

    Hi Louise,
    I just wanted to say that I think your site is fantastic and I’ve picked up so many great tips.
    Just a quick one though – once the cookies have dried and you have iced them, should you place them in a airtight container or should you leave them out for the icing to dry? I am making 100 cookies for a charity event and I don’t want them to go stale or soggy. Thanks in advance!

    Reply
  50. Louise

    October 14, 2009 at 11:08 AM

    chelsea: Maybe this site can help? https://www.gramstoounces.org/

    Reply
  51. chelsea

    October 14, 2009 at 12:10 AM

    I must be dumb because I cannot figure out these measurments. Can someone help me out?

    Reply
  52. Louise

    October 1, 2009 at 12:31 PM

    Anna: Thank you for the tip. I think that I have around four different measuring cups in my kitchen. Some works better than others.

    Reply
  53. Anna

    September 24, 2009 at 2:50 PM

    Nice website! To all those who are having trouble with conversions, you may want to think about investing in a measuring cup called ‘Tala’s cooks measure’.

    I live in Australia and I am don’t want to weigh everything unless it’s for a really sensitive recipe, so this thing is really useful. It is conical in shape and lists most common dry ingredients around the brim, with their relative measurements tapering down the inside… so it measure by mass instead of volume (both g and oz). It’s quick and easy and I very rarely have trouble with conversions. Check it out at:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/TALA-COOKS-MEASURE-0-5/dp/B000SA8996

    or you can type the name into a google search engine to get stores that sell them in whatever country : )

    Reply
  54. Louise

    September 11, 2009 at 11:10 PM

    Kylie: Nice to hear 🙂

    Reply
  55. Kylie

    August 26, 2009 at 4:09 AM

    I tried this recipe this weekend and was delighted with it. They held their shape perfectly and I really liked them with the confectioners sugar too. Thank you!

    Reply
  56. Louise

    August 19, 2009 at 12:10 PM

    Elisa: 2 weeks is fine, 3 would also be ok. Of course they get a little bit dense but nothing that would ruin them. As long as the icing is all dry.

    Reply
  57. ELISA

    August 18, 2009 at 11:44 PM

    BEAUTIFUL BLOG!!!! HOW LONG WILL THE COOKIES STAY YUMMY, ICED AND PACKAGED IN CELOPHANE WITH RIBBON?? IS 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE TO START MAKING 200 OF THE TO FAR IN ADVANCE???

    Reply
  58. Louise

    August 9, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    Carryn: No its icing sugar or powdered sugar I think.

    Reply
  59. Carryn

    August 3, 2009 at 12:17 PM

    Hi, the cookies look gorgeous, can’t wait to try them out! Is the ‘confectioners sugar’ castor sugar? (I’m not from U.S). Thanks!! (love your site!)

    Reply
  60. Louise

    July 24, 2009 at 11:57 PM

    Wendi: Im sorry for the conversion problems, but if I could write the right measurement for the US readers I would. I dont know if this site will help you
    https://www.metric-conversions.org/weight/grams-to-ounces.htm

    For the half sugar/CS you take half of the sugar away and replace it with CS up to the stated measurement.
    I know there are a difference with gran sugar weighing more than CS but this works for me.

    Reply
  61. Wendi

    July 20, 2009 at 7:45 PM

    I’m also having a hard time with the conversions, can someone please post? Possibly with the 1/2 gran sugar and 1/2 conf sugar.

    Thanks a bunch

    Reply
  62. Louise

    July 19, 2009 at 11:08 PM

    Tracy: I know there are a little different between english and australian recipes but I have made aussie recipes straight over and nothing went wrong. its more with the american recipes I have troubles.

    Look at the bottom of the post before the comments and there are links to royal icing and how to decorate cookies with royal icing.

    Reply
  63. Tracey

    July 3, 2009 at 2:06 PM

    Hi Louise,

    Can you please tell me if the recipe can be made in Australia cooking measurements?

    Could you please tell me how you did the fondant/icing on the cookie. It looks gorgeous but as I am new to this I need a little help and I know I can do it.

    Reply
  64. jenn

    May 31, 2009 at 4:23 AM

    thank you! I can’t wait to try them out!

    Reply
  65. Louise

    May 30, 2009 at 11:20 PM

    Jenn: sorry I forgot to edit the post. Its 2 eggs 🙂

    Reply
  66. jenn

    May 28, 2009 at 9:56 PM

    is it 2 eggs plus one or just 2 eggs total?

    Reply
  67. Ellery

    May 18, 2009 at 3:42 PM

    Thanks for the recipe! I just finished making them, and they are DELICIOUS! Next time I’ll have to try the sugar/powdered sugar combo.

    Reply
  68. JoAnn

    April 18, 2009 at 6:46 AM

    I made these cookies for easter and they were wonderful!!!!!! I bought a gram
    weighted everything. I used 1/2 sugar and 1/2 powdered sugar. Thanks for the
    recipe!!!!!

    Reply
  69. Louise

    April 12, 2009 at 8:44 PM

    JoAnn: I use a scale.

    Reply
  70. JoAnn

    April 9, 2009 at 11:18 PM

    louise do you weigh your sugar?

    Reply
  71. Louise

    April 7, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    JoAnn: No you are right and after browsing & searching on the net I think the conversion sites that I have been using have only confused me even more. I think the most accurate for me would be only to convert into oz? I found this site on my searching https://www.metric-conversions.org/weight/grams-to-ounces.htm
    Maybe that is better for me to use? when I want to convert european recipes? I really appriciate your help on this 🙂

    Reply
  72. JoAnn

    April 5, 2009 at 9:46 PM

    Louise: What a great site!!!!!!! I love checking out your blog. I also am confused about the recipe convertion. Is the original recipe in metric measurements or US,
    which way did the conversion go and what measurements do you use in making these cookies? My other question is about the sugar. Do you measure your sugar or weight it? CS has a different weight or gram to cup conversion then regular sugar. They don’t wieght the same. thanks

    Reply
  73. Louise

    April 5, 2009 at 11:47 AM

    Dorothy Javellana: You can freeze the cookies up to months in advance. If not frozen then I would make them 1 month in advance.

    madelaine: No the butter does not need to be all softend and you dont need to sift the confectioners sugar. 1 recipe of royal icing is enough. When you thin it down it goes a long way.

    Yes you are right about the conversion and thank you for solving it 🙂 i have edited the post.

    Reply
  74. madelaine

    March 28, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    louise, i was browsing through the 2 conversion sites you mentioned and i came across a discrepency on your flour measurement. 1 lb of flour is 453.5 grams which is 4.5 cups not 500g or 5 cups. please check if i am right. ??? thank you

    Reply
  75. madelaine

    March 27, 2009 at 6:23 PM

    i have another question. if this recipe does 25-30 medium sized cookies, how much royal icing do i need? would 1 recipe be ok?

    Reply
  76. madelaine

    March 25, 2009 at 11:15 PM

    hi louise, i’m going to try these cookies and decorate them for easter. i’d like to know if the butter has to be softened? and if the confectioners sugar has to be sifted?

    Reply
  77. Dorothy Javellana

    March 22, 2009 at 10:14 PM

    Louise,
    How far in advance can I make this cookies? I want to make eater cookies but I have a busy scheule so whenever time permits before Easter I will do it in batches. Thanks.
    Dorothy

    Reply
  78. Louise

    March 6, 2009 at 5:58 PM

    Debbie & Kathy: I have added 1 more egg to the recipe. I hope this helps, also take the dough out 15-20 mins before maybe will helps too so that it is more easy to knead and roll out?

    Keep me updated pls. Thanks!

    Reply
  79. Kathy

    March 6, 2009 at 5:16 PM

    I also tried this recipe and had the same results as Debbie. The dough was way to tough and somewhat dry and would not roll out for anything without cracking. I ended up making another recipe where the dough was much softer, almost too soft. I would love to find something with results in the middle.

    Reply
  80. Louise

    March 6, 2009 at 12:54 AM

    Lynn: 🙂

    Reply
  81. Lynn

    March 5, 2009 at 11:25 PM

    Wow, what a beautiful site! I LOVE to bake but haven’t done any baking or cake decorating in years. Your site and posts have inspired me. THANKS!

    Reply
  82. Louise

    March 5, 2009 at 9:14 PM

    Debbie: I looked on the conversions I used and it say that 500 g is 5 cups? 4 cups is 400 g? so it is so confusing.
    When I roll out my dough it have cracks around the edge but it dont feel’s dry. Here’s a link to the conversion: https://www.onlineconversion.com/weight_volume_cooking.htm
    I hope this helps?

    SimplePleasures: the reason why I like to use half sugar and half cs is because i like the taste and texture.

    Leslie: Yes sift then measure

    Reply
  83. Leslie

    March 5, 2009 at 6:20 AM

    You are my idol. Seriously. I love your site an thanks for sharing!

    Question? The flour, do you sift it then measure. Or measure before and then sift it? I’m thinking the first.

    Reply
  84. SimplePleasure

    March 5, 2009 at 6:10 AM

    Hi! why do you use half sugar and half confectioner’s? what’s the difference?

    Reply
  85. Debbie

    March 5, 2009 at 4:58 AM

    Louise,

    I cannot thank you enough for this blog! I discovered it about 3 months ago and I don’t know if a day goes by that I don’t reference it 🙂

    I am having a problem with this recipe. I just tried making it and the dough is cracking all over – I can’t even roll it out. The only mistake that I may have made is the conversion of lb. to cup of the flour (I used a little under 4 cups). Would you know why it is so dry? Thank you!!

    Reply
  86. Louise

    March 4, 2009 at 10:31 AM

    Rosa: Thank you and I hope that you will enjoy the reading 🙂

    Reply
  87. Rosa

    March 4, 2009 at 3:46 AM

    You really have a natural talent for making your sweets look beautiful and elegant. I found you through The Back Burner and plan to read your blog on a regular basis. Keep up the awesome work!

    Reply
  88. Louise

    March 2, 2009 at 11:29 AM

    Lyndsay: Yeah and all the work decorating them and then they are eaten in no time lol!

    erica: Thank you

    Ash: Thank you too.

    Jodi: I hope you like it.

    Carla: Thats what my blog is for helping other cake freaks 🙂

    Reply
  89. Carla

    March 2, 2009 at 3:28 AM

    Hello Louise, congratulations for your blog!!! I’m from Brazil and I’m starting on cake designing. I’m sure that your blog will help me many times. Best regards!!

    Reply
  90. Jodi

    March 1, 2009 at 8:21 AM

    That looks like a great recipe! Will have to try it.. They look so good! 🙂

    Reply
  91. Ash

    February 28, 2009 at 9:18 PM

    These are absolutely beautiful!!!

    Reply
  92. erica@ohmy-applepie

    February 28, 2009 at 3:59 PM

    Hi, I just came across your gorgeous blog, you are so talented! I am so inspired!

    Reply
  93. lyndsay

    February 28, 2009 at 5:46 AM

    hi louise! great photos! oh, the pain and the agony of the sugar cookie… ! they always look splendid when they’re finished though! they are lots of work!

    Reply
  94. Louise

    February 27, 2009 at 10:17 AM

    Jim: I like them best with CS only and I often just eat them plain.

    becky: Awww you poor thing. Be nice to the vending machine 🙂 I was just wondering if you have received something……? Im will not say anymore.

    Reply
  95. becky

    February 27, 2009 at 3:01 AM

    OK, I am reading this while at work…I’m starving and there are no sugar cookies here. 🙁 I might have to go buy oreos from the vending machine.
    I will make sugar cookies this weekend!!! thank you, Louise!!!!

    Reply
  96. Jim

    February 26, 2009 at 7:44 PM

    Your recipe brought back memories of my Grandmother making these very “Sugar Cookies” with confectioners sugar only. Nothing fancy for her eot even decorations on top…they didn’t last that long with us kids waiting by the oven!

    Reply
  97. Louise

    February 26, 2009 at 10:09 AM

    dpotter: You can store your cookies iced or uniced by keeping them in a airthight box layered with parchment paper in between for up to 1 month. You can also store them in the freezer for up to 3-6 month. Freezer is the best esp. for uniced as they will taste freshly made when thawed.

    Kate: Just send them to cakejournal(at)gmaildotcom

    Larling: Is that soft or hard brown sugar that you use? Sounds very interesting.

    Cakebreak: It is so close to Peggy’s but I like my cookies not to be rock hard. Let me know what you think of the powdered sugar one.

    Reply
  98. Cakebreak

    February 26, 2009 at 4:18 AM

    I’ve tried your shortbread cookie recipe and it was great. I also tried recently Peggy Porschen’s cookie (because I bought her book!) and they came out little harder than the shortbread cookies, but they tasted great. I will try using the powdered suger next time. Thanks for the tip.

    Reply
  99. laling

    February 26, 2009 at 1:25 AM

    Hi,

    i also use a similiar recipe for my sugar cookies, but I add brown sugar and a little lemon extract.

    Reply
  100. Kate from Oz

    February 25, 2009 at 11:17 PM

    YIPEEEE! Thanks so much i am making some cookies for a wedding as a bonbonierre gift for the guests and the trial oones i did turned out great but the recipe was tedious and messy – i will try this one for my sons bday on the weekend!
    Thanks so much for your generousity Louise.
    p.s. – how can i show you the cookies i made for the wedding? (they were inspired from one of your photos)

    Reply
  101. dpotter

    February 25, 2009 at 10:46 PM

    hey Louise, I adore your cupcakes and cookies, your site has been an inspiration!!!!! just a question with regards to storing the cookies, how long do they last iced/uniced and how do you store them ?

    Reply
  102. Louise

    February 25, 2009 at 9:44 PM

    To al of you who have asked about the 7/8 cup. First I wished that there only was ONE way in the whole world that things was meassured in. I have a few conversions sites that I use like this one https://www.dianasdesserts.com

    I have just written what their conversion said. I get even more confused when I convert it to oz. because then it says 3 oz. I convert 1 oz. to 30 grams.
    So if any of you have a more religable conversion or do know what it is excact. Then please help and I will edit the post.

    for the question on this cookie is less breakable then let me tell you that I have some very very old cookie lolly pops (some from the photo above) saved and they look like they were made yesterday. So yes I think this is a very good and stable cookie recipe.

    The reason I use confectioners sugar is because the recipe is very identical to many danish recipes for butter cookies, tart crust ect. and here you use only confectioners sugar in the recipe. I have even made it with only CS and they were also fine. They could though tend to slightly “bubble” but nothing concerning.

    Rita: thank you for reminding me about baking time 🙂 I have just edited the post.

    Reply
  103. Rita

    February 25, 2009 at 9:34 PM

    How long do you bake the cookies for? I’ve been collecting your recipes and am waiting on Easter to make these lollies for my nieces and nephews school and church parties. (Gives me alittle more time to get up my courage!) You inspire me to try things I’d never dream possible, though!

    Reply
  104. Toni

    February 25, 2009 at 7:38 PM

    Thanks so much for this Louise…… I so desperately need to improve my cookies!!!

    Reply
  105. bon-bon-bun

    February 25, 2009 at 7:04 PM

    Oooh, those look yummy! I have so many recipes gathered up that I am desperate to try! And the clock keeps ticking away.

    Reply
  106. Yazmin

    February 25, 2009 at 6:58 PM

    Thank you for the recipe, I will try it next time. I have a question is 7/8 cups of sugar is the same as 200grams??

    Reply
  107. Rita

    February 25, 2009 at 5:53 PM

    They looks perfect
    Thanks for describing the steps in detail

    Reply
  108. Renata McKay

    February 25, 2009 at 5:22 PM

    Dear Louise,
    I got confused with your recipe.
    Is it 7 to 8 cups of Sugar ? or 7/8ths of a cup of sugar ?
    Thanks you very much for sharing.
    Renata

    Reply
  109. Tamara

    February 25, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    Good to know I wasn’t the only one to fail at the No Fail Sugar Cookies, took me a long time to recover from that. lol
    Can’t wait to try your recipe once I get over this cold.
    Thanks

    Reply
  110. Wendy

    February 25, 2009 at 4:15 PM

    Does using the confectioner’s sugar make any difference ? I’m looking for a recipe that doesn’t break so easily.

    Reply
  111. Tracey

    February 25, 2009 at 5:06 PM

    I have problems with cookies too! would like to try this recipe but it is in american measurements… I never get them right as I am from the UK. will try my best and let you know how they turn out. Tracey.

    Reply
  112. Robin

    February 25, 2009 at 3:56 PM

    I got this recipe from you in the past, and it was fantastic and held up so well for decorating. I found it is important to make sure you do make them as thick as the recipe says, or some might break when you pick them up if too thin. I made 1 addition to the recipe though…I added 1 tsp of Almond Extract for some extra flavor because it was a tiny bit bland to me. Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
  113. Pilar

    February 25, 2009 at 3:54 PM

    Thanks… Hugs

    Reply
  114. snooky doodle

    February 25, 2009 at 3:53 PM

    thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂

    Reply
  115. junko

    February 25, 2009 at 2:35 AM

    This recipe sounds great! It looks really simple and I can’t wait to try it! thanks so much!

    Reply

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