If you’re anything like me, you know that finding the perfect soft sugar cookie recipe can feel like striking gold. That’s why I’m excited to share this Soft Sugar Cookies with Decorative Sugar Recipe—it’s a total winner in both flavor and texture. These cookies come out tender, melt-in-your-mouth soft, and the colored decorating sugar on top adds just the right hint of sparkle and fun, making them perfect for any occasion from casual cookie swaps to holiday celebrations.

What I love most about this recipe is how reliably soft they stay, even a day or two after baking, which means you can make them ahead without worrying about them getting cakey or hard. Plus, the decorative sugar tip not only gives these cookies a nice crunch contrast but also makes them look so inviting—like little edible jewels! I think you’ll enjoy baking these as much as I do, especially when you fancy a sweet treat that’s both simple and special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Soft Sugar Cookies with Decorative Sugar Recipe comes from classic ingredients that work together beautifully to create a soft, flavorful cookie with just the right touch of sweetness and texture. Picking good-quality butter and fresh vanilla extract really elevates the taste, so don’t skimp there!

Colored decorating sugar: This adds a fun crunch and festive look—choose colors that match your occasion!
Shortening: Helps keep the cookies tender and soft, better than butter alone in this recipe.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and depth of flavor; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
White sugar: Gives the cookies their sweetness and aids in browning a bit.
Eggs: Provide structure and moisture, crucial for soft cookies.
Vanilla extract: A trusty classic flavor enhancer—don’t skip it!
All-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together—measure carefully to keep cookies soft.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly for that tender crumb.
Salt: Balances out the sweetness and brightens the cookie’s flavor.

Variations

One of the fun things about this Soft Sugar Cookies with Decorative Sugar Recipe is how easily it adapts to your mood or season. I often switch up the decorating sugar colors depending on the season, or add a little twist to keep things interesting.

Lemon or almond extract: Sometimes I swap vanilla for lemon or almond extract for a fresh or nutty twist, which pairs beautifully with the sugar topping.
Gluten-free flour blend: I’ve tried this recipe with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour substitute and the cookies still turn out soft, just watch the baking time closely.
Spiced sugar topping: Mix a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the decorating sugar for a cozy seasonal vibe.
Vegan version: Replace butter and shortening with a vegan butter alternative and use flax eggs; results are slightly different but still deliciously soft.

How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies with Decorative Sugar Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Fats and Sugars

Start by beating together the shortening, softened unsalted butter, and white sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy — this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes with an electric mixer. This step is key because it traps air, helping your cookies stay soft and tender. Don’t rush it and make sure your butter is nice and soft to avoid lumps.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, pour in the vanilla extract. This step ensures your dough is smooth and well emulsified, which helps make those velvety soft cookies you’re after.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Over-mixing here can lead to tougher cookies, so be gentle and stop as soon as you see the dough come together.

Step 4: Form and Decorate

Scoop dough by tablespoons (or use a cookie scoop) onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them a couple of inches apart. Before baking, sprinkle the tops generously with your colored decorating sugar—this not only adds a pretty sparkle but also a delightful crunch. Lightly press the sugar in so it sticks well.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake your cookies at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 to 12 minutes. Watch closely—the edges should be just set and barely golden, but the centers will still look soft. Don’t overbake! Allow them to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This resting time helps them firm up perfectly while staying soft inside.

How to Serve Soft Sugar Cookies with Decorative Sugar Recipe

Garnishes

When I serve these cookies, I love adding a little extra sparkle with a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a drizzle of white chocolate for an elegant touch. Adding festive colored sugar around the edges works great for celebrations. It’s that simple sparkle that makes these cookies feel extra special.

Side Dishes

These soft sugar cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or coffee—perfect for your afternoon break. I also enjoy serving them alongside fresh fruit, like berries or sliced apples, which add a nice freshness to the sweet treat.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ways to present these cookies at parties is on tiered stands sprinkled with edible flowers or themed sprinkles, which instantly elevates their charm. I’ve also wrapped small stacks in cellophane tied with colorful ribbon for gifting—and people love that personal touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft. Adding a slice of bread in the container overnight can help maintain that perfect chewy texture—it’s a little trick I learned from my grandma!

Freezing

If you want to freeze the dough, I recommend scooping it into balls first and freezing those on a tray before transferring to a bag. This way, you can bake fresh cookies straight from the freezer with a slightly longer bake time. Frozen baked cookies also freeze well—just thaw them in the container for a few hours before enjoying.

Reheating

To refresh leftover or thawed cookies, pop them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This warms them through gently and softens the texture, making them taste freshly baked again.

FAQs

Can I use butter instead of shortening in this Soft Sugar Cookies with Decorative Sugar Recipe?

Yes, you can substitute butter for shortening, but keep in mind the texture might be a bit different. Shortening helps keep the cookies extra soft and tender, so if you skip it, your cookies may be a touch crisper or less chewy. You could try using all butter for a richer flavor but expect a slight change in texture.
How do I prevent my sugar cookies from spreading too much while baking?

Make sure your dough is well chilled before baking, especially if your kitchen is warm. Also, avoid over-creaming the fats, which can lead to excess spreading. Using baking powder as in this recipe helps the cookies maintain their shape while remaining soft.
Can I use this recipe to make cut-out sugar cookies?

This recipe is designed for soft, slightly puffy cookies rather than firm cut-outs. For cut-outs, a stiffer dough is usually better. However, if you chill the dough very well, you can try rolling and cutting shapes, keeping in mind the cookies will be softer and may spread a little during baking.
How long do these soft sugar cookies stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay soft and fresh for up to 4 days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing either the dough or baked cookies is your best bet.
Why do you add colored decorating sugar on top?

The colored decorating sugar adds a beautiful sparkle and a slight crunch that contrasts nicely with the soft cookie texture. Plus, it’s a quick way to dress up plain cookies for holidays, parties, or just everyday fun without any extra fuss.

Final Thoughts

This Soft Sugar Cookies with Decorative Sugar Recipe has become one of my go-to favorites because it always delivers—soft, flavorful, and beautiful to look at. I hope when you try it yourself, it becomes just as special in your kitchen as it is in mine. Trust me, once you taste that perfect combination of soft dough and sparkling sugar crunch, you’ll want to bake them again and again. Go ahead and make a batch—you’ll be smiling with every bite!

Soft Sugar Cookies with Decorative Sugar Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 58 reviews

These Soft Sugar Cookies are delightfully tender and flavored with vanilla, perfect for decorating or enjoying plain. Featuring a rich blend of shortening and butter for a soft texture, these cookies are easy to make and perfect for any occasion needing a sweet treat.

Author: Mary
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: Approximately 36 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Decorating

⅓ cup colored decorating sugar

Main Ingredients

⅔ cup shortening
⅔ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cookie transfer and cleanup.
Cream fats and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the shortening, softened butter, and white sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, which helps create the soft texture.
Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and keeping the cookies tender.
Shape cookies: Scoop dough by rounded tablespoons, roll into balls, and then roll each ball in the colored decorating sugar until fully coated.
Place on baking sheets: Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes

Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies soft and tender.
Softening the butter before mixing is essential for proper texture and consistency.
Colored decorating sugar adds a festive touch but can be omitted or replaced with granulated sugar.
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
If you prefer crisper cookies, increase baking time by a minute or two but watch carefully to avoid burning.

Keywords: soft sugar cookies, vanilla sugar cookies, decorated sugar cookies, chewy sugar cookies