Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe is sweet, soft and perfect for every occasion. These cookies are easy to bake and taste amazing. With simple ingredients, anyone can make them at home.
Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe gives tender buttery cookies that melt in your mouth. You can enjoy them plain, decorated or with a sprinkle of sugar.
This recipe is perfect for holidays, parties or just a cozy treat. Learn how to make Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe and enjoy sweet homemade goodness.
My Experience With This Ina Garten Sugar Cookie
I tried this recipe on a weekend baking day. The kitchen smelled like vanilla and butter. Mixing the dough was simple and fun. Rolling it out and cutting shapes made it feel like a festive activity.
Baking filled the home with a sweet, warm aroma. The cookies came out soft, golden and lightly crisp on edges. My family loved them, especially with a glass of milk. It is now my go-to sugar cookie recipe for all occasions.
Recipe Card info
- Recipe Name: Ina Garten Sugar Cookie
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 32 mins
- Course: Dessert or Snack
- Cuisine: American
- Calories: about 150 kcal per cookie
Equipment List
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutters
- Cooling rack
Ingredients You Need for Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Extra sugar for rolling cookies
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Preheat oven
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking.
2. Mix dry ingredients
In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda and baking powder. Stir lightly and set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This makes cookies soft and tender.
4. Add egg and extracts
Add egg, vanilla and almond extract. Mix until fully combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
5. Combine dry and wet ingredients
Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture. Mix slowly until dough forms. Do not overmix to keep cookies soft.
6. Chill dough
Wrap dough in plastic wrap. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll out and cut shapes.
7. Roll out dough
Lightly flour surface and rolling pin. Roll dough to about ¼ inch thick. Even thickness helps cookies bake evenly.
8. Cut cookie shapes
Use cookie cutters to cut dough into shapes. Place cookies on baking sheet, leaving space between them.
9. Sprinkle sugar
Sprinkle extra granulated sugar on top. This gives cookies a sparkly, sweet finish. Press lightly to help it stick.
10. Bake cookies
Bake in preheated oven for 10–12 minutes. Edges should be lightly golden, centers soft. Remove from oven carefully.
11. Cool cookies
Let cookies cool on sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely before decorating or serving.
Tips to Make the Best Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Use room temperature butter for smooth dough
- Chill dough to prevent spreading
- Roll evenly for uniform cookies
- Use fresh vanilla for best flavor
- Do not overbake to keep cookies soft
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping dough chilling
- Rolling dough too thin or thick
- Overmixing flour into dough
- Using cold butter
- Baking too long
Serving Suggestions
Serve these sugar cookies with milk, tea or coffee. Decorate with icing or sprinkles for parties.
They are perfect for gift boxes or festive trays. You can also enjoy them plain as a cozy treat during winter evenings or weekend baking fun.
Variations You Can Try
- Add lemon zest for bright flavor
- Dip half in melted chocolate
- Top with colored sugar sprinkles
- Make sandwich cookies with jam filling
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store in airtight container at room temperature for one week
- Freeze baked cookies up to three months
- Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature
- Reheat slightly in oven for fresh-baked taste
- Keep away from moisture to maintain crisp edges
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per cookie |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
Health Benefits
Sugar cookies are a treat and should be enjoyed in moderation. They provide quick energy from carbohydrates. Using real butter and eggs adds protein and healthy fats.
Baking at home allows control over ingredients and avoids preservatives. Sharing cookies with family also promotes joy and togetherness.
Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract optional
- Extra sugar for rolling cookies
Instructions
Preheat oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking.
Mix dry ingredients
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda and baking powder. Stir lightly and set aside.
Cream butter and sugar
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This makes cookies soft and tender.
Add egg and extracts
- Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix until fully combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
Combine dry and wet ingredients
- Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture. Mix slowly until dough forms. Do not overmix to keep cookies soft.
Chill dough
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll out and cut shapes.
Roll out dough
- Lightly flour surface and rolling pin. Roll dough to about ¼ inch thick. Even thickness helps cookies bake evenly.
Cut cookie shapes
- Use cookie cutters to cut dough into shapes. Place cookies on baking sheet, leaving space between them.
Sprinkle sugar
- Sprinkle extra granulated sugar on top. This gives cookies a sparkly, sweet finish. Press lightly to help it stick.
Bake cookies
- Bake in preheated oven for 10–12 minutes. Edges should be lightly golden, centers soft. Remove from oven carefully.
Cool cookies
- Let cookies cool on sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely before decorating or serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for smooth dough
- Chill dough to prevent spreading
- Roll evenly for uniform cookies
- Use fresh vanilla for best flavor
- Do not overbake to keep cookies soft
FAQs about Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe
1. Can I make this dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make and chill dough for up to 2 days. It helps flavors develop and makes rolling easier.
2. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce added salt slightly. Unsalted butter gives more control over sweetness and flavor balance.
3. Can I freeze unbaked cookies?
Yes, freeze cut cookies on baking sheet. Transfer to airtight bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to time.
4. Can I decorate cookies with royal icing?
Absolutely. Once cookies are cooled completely, icing adheres well. Use for festive designs or holiday themes.
Final Thoughts
Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe is simple, fun and perfect for any occasion. With easy steps, anyone can make these soft, buttery cookies. They bring joy to holidays, parties or quiet evenings at home.
Try this recipe soon and enjoy the sweet, comforting taste of homemade cookies. Share them with family and friends and make every bite memorable.
Hi, I’m Emily Grace! I love cooking simple, tasty food that brings people together. On Bite Dive, I share easy recipes, fun food tips, and ideas to make every meal special. My kitchen is my happy place, and I’m so excited to share it with you!