Old Fashioned Farmhouse Sugar Cookies (Easy Drop Cookies)

Name: Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter ((softened to room temperature)); ½ cup shortening ((vegetable shortening recommended)); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; Coarse/ colored sugar for rolling

These old-fashioned sugar cookies remind me of the vintage ones that are sweet, soft, and loved by kids. They have a crunchy outside and a soft, chewy middle. What’s great is that this recipe’s dough is buttery, easy to work with, and has just the right touch of sweetness, making it perfect for any occasion—whether I’m baking for a holiday, crafting a homemade gift, or just wanting to brighten someone’s day.

It’s also a lot of fun to make with my kids since it’s quick and straightforward, and they love sprinkling the sugar on top. Plus, they’re quick to make, meaning I don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen to enjoy that warm, fresh-from-the-oven flavor everyone loves. This is one of the best cookie recipes I find myself returning to because it’s reliable and always a hit!

Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

A simple sugar cookie recipe with vintage flair.

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 12

Total Time 32

Serving Size cookies

Equipment

Parchment paper
2 Baking sheets
Stand mixer (or hand mixer)
Mixing Bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Whisk
Rubber spatula or spoon
Flat-bottomed glass
Wire cooling rack

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
½ cup shortening (vegetable shortening recommended)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
Coarse/ colored sugar for rolling (buy it in bulk for the best price)

Instructions

Prep the oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (or 350°F for convection). Then, line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Cream the wet ingredients. Cream the softened butter, shortening, and granulated sugar in a stand mixer. Start on low speed and gradually increase to medium-high, mixing for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, scrape down the sides of the bowl, ensuring everything is fully combined. Next, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix at medium speed until incorporated. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
Mix the dry ingredients. Whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate mixing bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing at low speed until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the cookie texture.
Shape the dough. Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls (the dough will be soft). If the dough is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. Then, place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass. Sprinkle coarse or colored sugar on top, or roll the dough balls in sugar before flattening for sugar on both sides.
Bake the cookies. Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes or until the cookies are set and the edges start turning golden. They should remain light in color.
Cool the cookies. Once the cookies are done baking, let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to firm up. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Video

Notes

Before baking, take your butter and egg out of the fridge about 30 minutes ahead. If they’re too cold, your dough might not mix well and end up uneven.

Adding too much flour can make your cookies hard and dry. Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife to avoid this. Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, causing you to use too much.

When you mix the dry ingredients with the wet ones, stir them until they’re combined. Mixing too much will make your cookies hard instead of soft and chewy.

If your dough is too sticky or soft to handle, chill it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. This makes it easier to work with.

To get cookies that are all the same size and bake evenly, use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon. This way, they’ll all have the same texture.

Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes after they come out of the oven. This helps them set and prevents them from breaking when you move them.

Sprinkle some colored sugar on your cookies to make them look festive. Adding a bit of lemon zest or cinnamon to the dough can give them a tasty twist.

Try mixing in a little almond extract, citrus zest, or a pinch of cinnamon for something different. Even a tiny change can make your cookies unique and add a personal touch.

There’s something special about whipping up a batch of Classic Sugar Cookies, whether for a holiday, a snack, or just because you’re in the mood for something sweet and homemade. These cookies are rich and tender and get just the right amount of crispy at the edges, with a sprinkle of sugar for a little extra crunch. What’s great is they’re easy to make with stuff you probably already have in the house—no need for any complicated steps. The trick to getting that perfect dough? Make sure your butter and egg aren’t too cold. This helps everything mix well, giving you that soft, delicious cookie we love.

Try these Candy Cane Shortbread Cookies if you want more classic cookie recipes. They bring a festive twist to traditional shortbread with peppermint and crushed candy canes.

I hope it becomes a favorite for you, too.

Tips for the Best Old Fashioned Farmhouse Sugar Cookies

If your dough is too soft or sticky, chill it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. This helps make it less sticky, so you can easily roll it into balls and shape it without sticking to your hands.
If you notice your cookies are spreading too much or not baking evenly, using a light-colored baking sheet might help. The darker ones can make the bottoms of your cookies brown too quickly.
Since ovens can be a bit unpredictable, using an oven thermometer can ensure it’s really at the temperature you set it to. If the oven’s too hot or too cold, it could mess up how your cookies spread and bake.
Try rotating your baking sheets halfway through the baking time to deal with uneven heat in your oven. This can help your cookies bake more evenly, preventing some from getting too brown on one side.
To get cookies that bake evenly, make them all the same size. A cookie scoop or tablespoon is perfect for measuring out your dough.
If you’re unsure how your dough will bake or how long it should be in the oven, bake just a few cookies as a test. This lets you tweak the baking time or oven temperature for the rest of the batch without wasting dough. If you enjoy extra soft and moist cookies, you’ll love these Sour Cream Cookies. The sour cream adds a subtle tang and keeps them deliciously tender.
These cookies are best when they’re light in color with just a hint of golden around the edges. Take them out of the oven as soon as they seem set. If you leave them in too long, they’ll get too crispy instead of staying soft.

Key Ingredients and Tools

Here are some crucial ingredients and tools for making these cookies just right.

ingredients in bowls on concrete surface

Unsalted Butter: This lets you manage how salty your cookies are. It also brings out a richer, more genuine buttery taste. If you don’t have unsalted butter, salted butter works fine. Just cut back on any added salt the recipe calls for.
Vegetable Shortening: This keeps the cookies soft and tender, making them feel classic and comforting. If you’re out of shortening, using extra butter is okay, but your cookies might spread out a bit more.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla brings a cozy and complex flavor to the cookies. For the best flavor, go for pure vanilla extract, although the imitation kind can work if that’s all you have. For a twist in flavor, almond extract can replace vanilla extract. Use just half a teaspoon, though, because it’s much stronger.
Coarse or Colored Sugar: Rolling or sprinkling your cookies with this makes them look fun and sparkly. You can find it in the baking section, but plain sugar is fine, too, if that’s what you have on hand. No coarse sugar? Plain old granulated sugar is a good stand-in.
Stand Mixer: Using a stand mixer helps mix butter and sugar smoothly, especially for big batches. No stand mixer? A hand mixer can still do the job; getting everything fluffy might take more effort.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve these cookies with hot chocolate, fresh fruit salad, vanilla ice cream, iced coffee, or a dollop of whipped cream.

Troubleshooting and Help

Do I have to chill the dough?

Not necessarily. The dough is soft but should be fine to work with right away. However, if it’s too sticky, chilling it for 15-20 minutes will make it easier to handle.

What if my cookies are spreading too much?

If your cookies spread too much, try chilling the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking. Also, make sure your butter isn’t too soft when you start. Using parchment paper instead of greased baking sheets can also help with spreading.

Can I make these cookies thicker or thinner?

If you like thicker cookies, roll slightly larger dough balls and press them less when flattening. For thinner cookies, flatten them more with the bottom of the glass. Just be mindful of adjusting the bake time accordingly.

Do I need a stand mixer, or can I mix by hand?

While a stand mixer makes the process easier, you can mix by hand or with a hand mixer. Just be sure to cream the butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy, which may take a few extra minutes if done manually.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. The texture might differ slightly, but they should still be tasty! If you want to make a gluten-free version of sugar cookies, check out this helpful guide from King Arthur Baking.

Can I add other flavors to the dough?

Definitely! Mix in a little lemon zest, almond extract, or even a pinch of cinnamon for a fun twist. Remember that a little goes a long way, so start with small amounts.

Can I add chocolate chips or sprinkles to the dough?

Yes! Feel free to mix in extras like chocolate chips, sprinkles, or even nuts for a bit of texture and flavor. It’s a fun way to customize the cookies. If you’re a fan of timeless cookie recipes, you’ll love these Amish Chocolate Chip Cookies.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The cookies should be light in color, with the edges just starting to turn golden. When you take them out, they might still look soft in the center, but they’ll firm up as they cool.

Can I decorate these cookies with frosting?

Yes! These cookies are great with a simple sugar or buttercream frosting. Let them cool completely before decorating so the frosting doesn’t melt.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe is easy to scale up if you’re baking for a crowd. Just make sure you have enough baking sheets or bake in batches.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can! You can make the dough 24 hours before and keep it in the fridge. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling it into balls if it gets too firm.

Storage Instructions

To store these cookies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will stay fresh for up to 5 days. If you’d like to freeze them, you have a few options.

To freeze the dough, roll it into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet until firm (about 1-2 hours), and then transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag or airtight container. The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months, and you can bake them straight from the freezer—add an extra 1-2 minutes to the bake time.

If you want to freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely before placing them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months and thawed at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them. The dough and the baked cookies freeze well, making this recipe perfect for making ahead!

I hope you have fun making these sugar cookies. They’re an easy, tasty snack that everyone will enjoy, whether you’re baking for an event or indulging by yourself. These sugar cookies are straightforward and classic, perfect for anyone to try. Give them a try, and they might become a new favorite at your place!

Old Fashioned Farmhouse Sugar Cookies (Easy Drop Cookies)