Amish Sugar Cookies
This old-fashioned drop sugar cookies recipe makes the best Amish sugar cookies! They are so soft and puffy, and they practically melt in your mouth.
They're also very easy to make. You don't have to chill the dough or take the time to roll it out. And you get amazing sugar cookies without investing very much time at all.
Don't get me wrong, I also love cut-out sugar cookies. And we make them every year at Christmas, as well as numerous times throughout the year. There are so many cute cookie cutters, and my kids have a thing with cookie shapes.
But this Amish recipe is the one you're looking for whenever you just want a quick soft sugar cookie.
Easy Drop Sugar Cookies
These cookies may look simple and boring. There's no frosting (although you can spread your favorite icing on them if you need it), and there's no chocolate or nuts. It's just a plain old sugar cookie.
But there are times when all I want is an easy and classic cookie. And these soft Amish sugar cookies always hit the spot. Actually, I dare you to stop with only one.
They're sweet and buttery, with a tender texture that makes them completely irresistible.
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How to Make Soft Amish Sugar Cookies
This recipe for sugar cookies is super simple and quick to make. In fact, it's a great beginner's recipe.
I use my stand mixer with the paddle attachment, but you can easily mix these with a hand mixer as well. Although, you may need to finish it off by hand if it gets too stiff.
Remove the butter and eggs from the refrigerator several hours before you are ready to start baking. However, if you've made a last-minute decision to bake cookies, you can also quickly soften the butter in the microwave for about ten seconds.
Beat the butter and sugar well (until nice and creamy). Then add the remaining ingredients.
You can make dough balls with your hands, but using a cookie scoop makes it very easy and hassle-free.
Scoop the cookies onto greased sheets and flatten them a bit (Unless you prefer fat and puffy cookies.).
Lightly press the cookies with the bottom of a cup that was dipped into sugar. The sugar adds a little sparkle to the top of the cookies and keeps the cup from sticking. (If desired, you can add a bit of cinnamon to the sugar as well.)
Christmas Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles
Even though this is a simple drop sugar cookie, you can still add a festive touch to these PA Dutch sugar cookies.
Before baking, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with red and green sprinkles, and they'll be perfect for adding to your Christmas plates.
Or if you'd like to add an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with cinnamon.
The World's Best Sugar Cookies
In my Amish cookbook, this recipe is called the "World's Best Sugar Cookies". And I believe that whoever named them had it right.
I have many sugar cookie recipes, and recently I tried two different ones. First I used this recipe, and my kids absolutely fell in love with these cookies.
Every time they ate some, they kept exclaiming how good these cookies are. And they disappeared at an alarming rate. lol
But I wanted to try another recipe that was called, "Stay Soft Sugar Cookies." And they came out so pillowy soft and amazing. And we all loved those as well.
But I asked my kids which ones they liked better and which recipe I should share. The vote was unanimous because they all liked my first batch of cookies better.
Even though the second recipe produced fluffier cookies, there is something about the melt-in-your-mouth texture of these Amish sugar cookies that is unbeatable. And we all agreed that the flavor was more impressive in these cookies as well.
So, today I present to you what I have found to be the Easiest and Best Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe! They are great for Christmas or any day of the year.
Can I Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookies?
Yes, you can bake and freeze these cookies weeks in advance.
I am a firm believer in freezing almost any baked goods. So whenever I bake cookies, muffins, bread, etc., I freeze anything we won't eat within the first three days.
Homemade baked goods often dry out after a few days and they lose their appeal. But if you place them into an airtight container or freezer bag, you can keep them frozen for months, and they will still taste fresh when you get them out.
Just thaw and enjoy! Or if you're like my kids, you can always eat them frozen as well.
More Amish Christmas Cookie Recipes
Soft and Chewy Gingersnap Cookies
Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 c. softened butter
- 1 1/4 c. powdered sugar (confectioners)
- 3/4 c. white sugar
- 1 c. canola or vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. cream of tartar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350Ā°F.
- Mix butter and sugars together. Beat well until nice and creamy.1 c. softened butter, 1 1/4 c. powdered sugar (confectioners), 3/4 c. white sugar
- Add oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well.1 c. canola or vegetable oil, 2 eggs, 2 tsp. vanilla
- Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then gradually add them to the wet mixture, mixing only to combine.4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. cream of tartar, 1/2 tsp. salt
- Using a cookie scoop, drop the dough onto greased cookie sheets.
- Unless you prefer fat and puffy cookies, dip a cup into a bowl of sugar and lightly press the tops of the cookies with the bottom of the sugared cup.
- If desired, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with Christmas sugar sprinkles or cinnamon.
- Bake at 350Ā° for about 10 minutes. You want only the bottom edges lightly browned.
- Let the cookies rest on the tray for a minute before removing to a wire rack to cool.
- Store in an airtight container and freeze whatever you won't eat within a few days.
Lisa Reirdon
will this dough work to roll out and cut cookies?
Anna
I have another recipe that I use for cut-outs, so I haven't tried it. it would definitely need to be chilled.
Helena R Boyd
Can you make the dough into balls,freeze them and bake later? Thank you
Anna
I've never done it, but it should work. If baking from frozen, I would probably shape them into discs, and you will need to allow more time.
Michelle
These were very easy to make and are delicious.
Anna
Thank you for taking the time to leave a nice comment.
FrankStrausbaugh
I need to bake mine an extra minute or two. The ones I baked for 10 minutes were really soft and broke apart. But the flavor is SO GOOD! I will make this recipe again, just bake a little longer. Can't wait to have a couple with my coffee in the morning! Thank you!
Anna
Ovens can vary, so yes, adjust as necessary.
Amy
This is an awesome cookie!!
Question: can this recipe be frozen as a frozen "Slice & Bake" roll? I'm retired, but live amongst many young families. I'm wanting to gift a variety of cookie dough rolls to these families. That way, they can make cookies with their kids without dealing with a messy kitchen after they get home from work.
Anna
Wow, what a great idea. You are so thoughtful! I have never actually done this, but I see no reason why you couldn't prep it into rolls and freeze it. I would probably recommend thawing before baking.
Lily
These are so good! Do you think that I could make them into bars? If so, what size pan and for how long? Thank you.
Anna
I have not tried making them into bars. You would just have to experiment. I have used sugar cookie dough for making a fruit pizza crust. But that gets spread thin almost like a cookie.
Joy
This recipe is phenomenal ā
I've made this a number of times sometimes instead of vanilla I've used almond extract. Delicious ā¼ļø
Anna
I'm glad you have been enjoying them. Thank you for leaving a comment.
Susan Dyer
Best Sugar Cookies Ever!! I have made these twice now and my family devours them, fine I do too!šš
Anna
I'm glad you're enjoying them. They get devoured pretty quickly at our house tooš.
Vctor Strawbridge
Remember as a child (Iām 85) getting goatās milk candy, (perhaps taffy) in the 5&10 at Columbia, PA. Came in 1ā thick sheets, maybe 1-2 square foot , chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors. Winter time only. Sales person would break off pieces with wooden hammer. Do you know of it and have a recipe?
Anna
I'm not familiar with anything like you are describing. I have taffy recipes, but we always pulled that and cut it into small pieces. And it has more of a caramel flavor, although we added vanilla flavoring to some if it as well. Was it hard like a Crack candy?
Joy Bandura
I've made these Amish butter cookies a few times and they are always a hit ā¼ļø
I usually make my cookies a little smaller so I land out with 100 to 110 cookies. Enough to share with family, friends and neighbors. I've also used almond extract instead of vanilla when the mood hits. Delish ā¼ļø
Anna
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
Mary Hodges
You make them sound good but the recipe calls for a cup each of butter and oil. Is that correct?
Anna
Yes, it is correct. I know it sounds like a lot, but it makes about 60 cookies.
Brenda
These really ARE the best sugar cookies. I reprinted your recipe today, because my previous printout was so faded from being used so much.
Just yesterday I made another "best sugar cookie recipe." Nope...no they weren't! Yours really IS the best!
Anna
Thank you!
Aisha
Baking is my thing, can't wait to make these for the grandkids. And then some for the adults too š
I love anything Amish, especially the bread. Amish friendship bread is A Huge hit with everyone I know ā¤ļø
Thank you, I'll be back with results š„°
Stacy Boyd
It all looks so good. Thank you for sharing these blessings.
Anna
Thank you!
Andrew Coleman
In all of my 52 years of baking, I can't remember if I ever baked these, knickerdookles, ginger snaps,yes,but these cookies,