28 Sugar Cookie Recipes to Keep in Your Back Pocket

If you ask us, there's no wrong way to make a sugar cookie! We’re just as happy to bake a simple, sugar-rolled batch as we are to go crazy with the royal icing and sprinkles on the cutout version. That’s why we’ve developed a wide variety of recipes, allowing you to enjoy these classic cookies all throughout the year—and for every occasion. You’ll find plenty of holiday options here (including Halloween cookies and Thanksgiving cookies, too) as well as easy recipes you can make for lunchboxes, bake sales and more. No matter which type of cookie you prefer, this is the recipe to save if you like decorating. Our sugar dough is easy to roll and cut into all shapes and sizes—and the cookies hold their shape during baking. They come out firm and strong, perfect for piping decorations onto. We made them with a little less sugar, so feel free to load them up with icing and sprinkles. Their buttery crispness will still come through.

Delicious red velvet cake in cookie form? Yes, please!

This version of the sugar cookie has a slightly crispy edge and a super-chewy center, thanks to increasing the sugar and baking at a higher temperature. Roll the cookies in colored sugar for a festive, sparkly upgrade.

These sugar cookies are the chewiest you will find, and they're gluten free to boot! Rather than subbing all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, we used instant pudding mix (and rice and coconut flours) to give these cookies their gooey texture. You can even swap out vanilla for your own favorite pudding flavor, such as chocolate or caramel. The dough is equally ideal for making large rolled cookies or cutouts.

We love the warm toffee note (from the brown sugar) in these cookies. Add spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg for another variation.

Why have a single cookie when you can have one the size of a cake?! This spin on the classic is a fun alternative for celebrations and a new way to curb your sugar cookie craving.

These sweet treats are a soft and tender version of traditional roll-out sugar cookies — thanks to an extra egg. For extra holiday spirit, roll the dough in colored sanding sugar.

Leftover hot chocolate or cocoa mix transforms a regular sugar cookie recipe into a festive treat. To keep cookies nice and round when you set the dough log down in the freezer, here's a tip: Hang onto your next cardboard paper towel tube, cut through it with scissors to make an open trough, then rest the log in the makeshift cradle and freeze.

We love the imperfection of these festive smashed cookies. The addition of two eggs gives the centers a tender and soft texture, while the crinkled edges get ever so slightly golden and crisp. Top with a simple confectioner's sugar glaze for a holiday treat perfect for a cookie tin.

Molly's take on sugar cookies could not be cuter. She loads them up with one of her favorite ingredients (sprinkles!) and glazes them with frosting and sanding sugar to make them look like just like beets from the farm.

These vegan sugar cookies have the familiar flavor and texture of other classic sugar cookies (crisp edges, a soft center and slight chew) but contain no animal products. A touch of baking powder ensures the cookies puff slightly without spreading too much. Top them with a simple confectioners' sugar glaze and decorate with sprinkles for any holiday or festive occasion throughout the year.

These Halloween-themed cookies are super easy to make with a simple sugar cookie base and coating of royal icing. Let little ones help decorate with jelly beans for the eyes and licorice lace for the mouth. We’ve added pumpkin pie spice to go with the season, but you can make this simple sugar cookie for any holiday or time of year — just omit the pumpkin pie spice and use the cookie cutter of your choice.

These happy holiday cookies are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. In addition to the fun sprinkle mix on top, we added even more sprinkles to the dough for an additional burst of color. Sprinkle mixes can be purchased at most baking supply shops, but you can always mix your own using your favorite shapes and colors.

Whether you are looking for a homemade gift for someone special or a fun holiday activity with kids, these sugar cookies couldn’t be simpler, tastier or more beautiful. We take the buttery and perfectly crisp rounds and dip them into colored icing, resulting in a marbled and jewel-like effect that’ll surely impress your valentine. Swap out the cookie cutter shapes and colors to create cookies for any holiday or special occasion.

The sweetest sugar cookies? A touch of honey and meringue icing are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth!

The dough for these spiced autumn cookies is easily made in a food processor, much like pie dough, but with softened butter. We pulse the sugar first to finely grind it, which gives the cookies their tender and crunchy texture. Have fun with decorating; make fall leaves or turkeys using halved candy corns or pecans for the tail feathers.

You don’t need to toss your butter in the air to see a butter fly! These beautiful winged cookies are pretty to look at and totally scrumptious to snack on.

These cute cookies are crisp-tender, not too sweet and sturdy enough to hold their shape when baked. If you have the time and ingredients, you can pipe designs on the finished medals with decorating or royal icing.

These simple sugar cookies hold their shape when baked, so your cut-outs will have nice, clean edges. Mixed with red, white and blue confetti stars, they're a festive treat for a patriotic celebration.

These cut-out sugar cookies are dipped in a glaze before being decorated wth a piping bag and homemade buttercream frosting. Molly flavors them with lavendar but if you don't have any on hand you can skip it — you'll still end up with an absolutely wonderful treat.

Decisions, decisions, decisions! Whether you choose to make rolled, cut-outs, or sliced, this versatile cookie recipe can single-handily tackle them all!

Spook yourself sweet this Halloween season with festive sugar cookies that are no trick, all treat.

The secret to Duff's cutout sugar cookies? Make sure you chill the dough well. This helps it keep it's shape as it bakes in the oven.

Orange flower water adds a special touch (and the perfect amount of sweet, citrusy flavor) to this traditional Greek cookie.

Breakfast of champions! To start your mornings in a sweet way, mix these adorable mini heart cookies with tiny meringues and the other trail mix ingredients. The final touch? Add milk!