Grandma’s Homemade Sugar Cookies Recipe

Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, these old fashioned sugar cookies taste just like Grandma used to make. They’re simple, cozy, and come together fast with no special tricks, just pure homemade goodness.

I’ve always loved old fashioned recipes because they don’t ask for much.

All you need is just a few ingredients and some time.

No fancy mixers or weird stuff you can’t pronounce, just the basics that somehow turn into something delicious.

These sugar cookies are exactly that kind of recipe and probably the same one your grandma used to make!

They’re soft, buttery, a little chewy in the middle, and so easy to make even when life’s busy.

Ingredients for Homemade Sugar Cookies

These are soft in the middle, a little crisp on the edges, and honestly so good with coffee or milk.

• Flour – the base of the cookie, gives that perfect soft bite.
• Baking soda – helps the cookies puff up just the right amount.
• Baking powder – adds a little extra lift and keeps them from turning dense.
• Salt – just a pinch to balance all that sweetness.
• Butter – use the real stuff; it makes everything taste richer.
• Sugar – for sweetness and those golden edges we love.
• Egg – holds everything together and adds a little chew.
• Vanilla extract – gives that warm, classic cookie flavor.
• Almond extract – totally optional but makes them taste like something from a bakery.

How to Make Grandma’s Sugar Cookies

1. Mix the Dry Stuff

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, just make sure everything looks kinda even

Use a fork if you can’t find your whisk (I do that all the time).

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a big bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy.

It’ll take a couple of minutes, but that’s where the soft texture comes from, so don’t rush it too much.

If your butter’s too cold, microwave it for 5–10 seconds, just until it gives a little when pressed.

3. Add the Egg and Extracts

Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla and almond extracts.

Mix until it’s all smooth and smells amazing.

You’ll know it’s ready when the batter looks creamy and glossy.

4. Add the Dry Ingredients

Pour your dry mix into the wet ingredients a little at a time, stirring until it forms a soft dough.

It’ll be thick, but that’s what you want.

Don’t overmix or they’ll get tough!

5. Shape the Cookies

Scoop out some dough and roll it into balls.

Space them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet so they have room to spread.

You can flatten them slightly or leave them rounded for softer cookies.

6. Bake and Cool

Bake at 350°F for about 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges start turning golden.

Let them sit on the pan for a few minutes before moving them to a rack so they don’t fall apart.

They’ll keep baking a bit on the sheet after you pull them out, so take them out before they look fully done.

7. Make Some Icing

If you want to make some icing for your cookies, it’s super easy!

Whisk together powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and a little vanilla until it’s smooth and easy to spread.

You can make it thicker for piping or thinner for drizzling.

Just add milk a few drops at a time. It should look shiny, not runny.

Add food coloring if you want fun colors, or keep it plain white for that simple, old-school look.

The Secret to Grandma’s Sugar Cookies

It’s really just keeping things simple.

Real butter, a little patience, and not overbaking.

Those three things make all the difference!

These cookies taste like childhood and smell like the holidays, even when it’s just a random Tuesday afternoon.

And if you sneak one while it’s still warm, that’s honestly the best part.