This Paula Deen Sugar Cookies recipe is a soft and chewy recipe, which is made with real butter and pure vanilla extract. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 30 minutes.
Paula Deen Sugar Cookies Ingredients
Simple pantry staples for a classic, crowd-pleasing cookie.
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How To Make Paula Deen Sugar Cookies
A step-by-step guide to perfectly soft and chewy sugar cookies.
- Prep the Oven and Dry Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and white sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat the egg and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually blend the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and place them about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake and Cool: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe Tips
For the best homemade sugar cookies.
- How to get perfectly soft cookies? The key is not to overbake them. Pull the cookies from the oven when the edges are set and lightly golden, even if the centers look slightly underdone. They will finish baking on the hot pan.
- Can I chill the dough? Yes. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much, resulting in a thicker, chewier cookie. This is especially helpful if your kitchen is warm.
- Why is room temperature butter important? Using softened, room temperature butter (not melted) is crucial for the creaming process with the sugar. This step incorporates air into the dough, which creates a lighter, more tender cookie texture.
- How to add extra flavor? For a hint of almond flavor, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla. For a little tang, try adding the zest of one lemon.
What To Serve With Sugar Cookies
Perfect pairings for this classic treat.
These simple sugar cookies are a delight on their own but also pair wonderfully with:
- A cold glass of milk
- A hot cup of coffee or tea
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for making cookie sandwiches
How To Store Sugar Cookies
Keeping your cookies fresh and delicious.
- Counter: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Freeze: You can freeze the baked cookies or the unbaked dough balls. For dough, freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.
Paula Deen Sugar Cookies Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per cookie.
- Calories: 85 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 4 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
This recipe is formulated as a “drop” cookie and the dough is quite soft, so it’s not ideal for rolling and cutting. For cutouts, you would need a stiffer dough that holds its shape.
This is usually caused by butter that is too soft or melted. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature but not greasy. Chilling the dough before baking can also solve this issue. Using an ungreased, cool baking sheet is also important.
Absolutely! Once the cookies have cooled completely, they are perfect for decorating. A simple vanilla or buttercream frosting, a light glaze, or just a sprinkle of colored sugar on top before baking are all great options.
Try More Recipes:
- Paula Deen Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Paula Deen Monster Cookie Recipe
- Paula Deen Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe

Paula Deen Sugar Cookies Recipe
Description
A classic, no-fail recipe for soft and chewy sugar cookies with a hint of vanilla, perfect for any occasion from holidays to afternoon snacks.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden.
- Cool on the pan for a few minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Notes
- For the softest cookies, be careful not to overbake. Remove them from the oven when the edges are just set.
- Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature for the best dough consistency.
- The dough can be chilled for 30 minutes before baking to create a thicker cookie that spreads less.
- Let cookies cool completely before decorating with your favorite frosting or sprinkles.