Mini Sugar Cookies Recipe

If you’re like me and love those sweet little treats that are just the perfect bite, you’re going to adore this Mini Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies are soft, subtly buttery, and have that melt-in-your-mouth magic that makes them absolutely irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a party, gift-giving, or simply craving a little homemade joy, these mini sugar cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Stick with me—I’ll walk you through the whole process, share my favorite tips, and soon you’ll be baking up a storm with ease.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I appreciate most about this Mini Sugar Cookies Recipe is how simple and accessible the ingredients are, but together they create the dreamiest little cookies. Here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need and why each ingredient matters.

• Unsalted Butter: Having it softened but still cool gives you the perfect balance for creamy mixing without melting the dough.
• Granulated and Powdered Sugar: Using both adds a lovely texture contrast and just the right amount of sweetness.
• Canola or Vegetable Oil: The secret to that soft-bite texture—oil keeps these cookies tender and moist.
• Vanilla and Almond Extract: A duo that adds depth and a subtle hint of warmth without overpowering the cookie.
• Egg: Helps bind everything together and adds richness.
• All-Purpose Flour: Make sure you spoon and level it to avoid dense cookies.
• Baking Soda and Cream of Tartar: These work as leavening agents that give just a little puff and tenderness.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Extra Granulated Sugar for Rolling and Sprinkling: This gives the cookies a sparkling, delightful crunch on top—don’t skip this step!

Variations

I love experimenting with this recipe because it’s so versatile! You can personalize it to match your flavor cravings or dietary needs. Don’t be shy about mixing things up—the base of this Mini Sugar Cookies Recipe welcomes creativity.

• Sprinkles or Colored Sugar: My family goes crazy when I add rainbow sprinkles before baking—instant party vibe!
• Gluten-Free Flour: I’ve swapped in a 1:1 gluten-free blend with success—just make sure to check the blend’s instructions for best texture.
• Flavor Twists: Try swapping almond extract for lemon or orange zest to give your cookies a fresh citrus zing.
• Chocolate Dippers: Occasionally, I dip half the cookie into melted dark or white chocolate—so decadent and impressive.

How to Make Mini Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream and Combine Your Wet Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both the granulated and powdered sugars until smooth. Then pour in your oil, mixing it in well—don’t worry if it looks slightly curdled once you add the egg and extracts, that’s totally normal and part of the magic. Keep mixing until everything’s just combined, scraping down the sides as needed so you don’t miss any buttery goodness.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Adding these dry ingredients little by little to your wet mix will prevent lumps and ensure an even texture. Once combined, you should have a fairly soft dough—that softness is what makes these minis so tender!

Step 3: Sugar-Coat Your Dough Balls

Set aside about ¼ cup of granulated sugar for sprinkling on baked cookies, and put ½ cup into a shallow container for rolling your dough balls. Using a 2-teaspoon scoop (or two small spoons), scoop your dough and toss the balls gently in the sugar until they’re completely coated. I find doing 8–10 balls at a time works great, and gives the dough a little structure for easier shaping.

Step 4: Shape and Bake

Place those sugar-coated dough balls onto your parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving a couple inches between each—remember, they’ll puff up a bit! Use a cookie stamp or the flat bottom of a glass to gently flatten each ball into a crisp, pretty shape. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes until they puff just right and the edges start to set. Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle with the reserved sugar while the tops are still warm, giving them that perfect glimmer as they cool.

How to Serve Mini Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a bit old school when it comes to garnishes—I usually keep it simple with a sprinkle of extra sugar right after baking. But when I’m feeling fancy or baking for holidays, I love adding a little colored sugar or tiny festive sprinkles. Sometimes a light dusting of powdered sugar on top after cooling turns them into little winter snowballs, which is always a crowd-pleaser.

Side Dishes

These mini sugar cookies are perfect alongside a warm cup of tea or a creamy latte. Sometimes, I serve them with fresh fruit or a cheese plate for a balanced treat platter that everyone can nibble on at a party. Oh, and they’re fantastic next to a glass of cold milk—nostalgic and so comforting!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to arrange these mini sugar cookies in little gift boxes or mason jars tied with colorful ribbon. Another fun idea I discovered: assemble cookie stacks tied with twine to hand out at holiday gatherings. They also work great dipped halfway in chocolate and decorated with edible glitter for birthdays—such a showstopper!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After they’ve cooled completely, I store leftover mini sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they keep nice and fresh for about 3 days. If you’re aiming for a longer stretch, pop them in the fridge and they’ll stay good for up to 5 days without drying out.

Freezing

I actually freeze these cookies all the time! They freeze beautifully, so I make big batches and save extras in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 2 months. When you want some, just thaw them at room temperature for a bit—you’d never guess they weren’t freshly baked.

Reheating

To revive a day-old or frozen cookie, I pop it in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. This refreshes the texture and gives you that just-baked warmth. Just don’t overheat or they can get crispy too fast, which sometimes is nice but not the soft, tender cookie you’re aiming for here.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Mini Sugar Cookies Recipe has become my go-to whenever I want something sweet, festive, and fuss-free. I absolutely love how these cookies come out every single time—and I know when you try them, you’ll feel the same. They’re simple, tender, and full of flavor, perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself. So grab your mixing bowl, roll up your sleeves, and let’s bake those mini delights together—you won’t regret it!

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