Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (2024)

These Soft Vanilla Cookies are rolled in sugar and are perfectly soft and chewy. You don't need a rolling pin or cookie cutters to make these delicious sugar cookies.

Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (1)

One of my favorite Christmas memories is the smell of these Soft Vanilla Cookies baking on a cold winter day. It takes me back to when I was little, and would help my mom bake cookies while Christmas music played in the background.

My mom usually isn’t particular about ingredients until it comes to real vanilla. One thing I do remember about my childhood is that she always had real vanilla extract in her cupboard.

I use real vanilla in my cookies too. The smell and flavor are better than an imitation vanilla. It is also the vanilla flavor I grew up with, and no one can beat mom’s baking.

These soft vanilla cookies are the perfect Christmas treat. They are great for gift giving.

Looking for more great sugar cookies? Then you MUST try our Santa Sugar Cookies, Cake Mix Sugar Cookies, and Valentine Sugar Cookies. All are delicious and have the great taste of vanilla.

Related recipe:These Andes Mint Cookies are a holiday favorite!Get the recipe HERE!

Ingredients needed for Soft Vanilla Cookies:

  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla
  • Salt
  • Baking Powder
  • Flour
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Milk
  • Sprinkles

How to make Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe:

Soft vanilla cookies are so easy to make. The full recipe with ingredient amounts is located at the bottom of this post.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and granulated sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla until combined.Add salt, baking powder and flour. Mix until well combined.

Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (2)

Cover and chill for at least one hour in the refrigerator.

Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (3)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (4)

Use a glass and flatten each cookie to 1/2 inch in thickness.

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Bake for 9-10 minutes, watching carefully to be sure they aren’t overcooked. I like to take mine out before they start turning golden brown.

Let the cookies cool completely.

Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (6)

In a large mixing bowl, beat together all frosting ingredients until smooth then spread on top of cookies.

Immediately top with sprinkles before frosting firms up.

Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (7)

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Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (8)

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Could I make this dough ahead of time?

You can always make soft vanilla cookie dough ahead of time. However, I wouldn’t recommend making it more than 24 hours in advance since cookie dough can dry out really easily in the fridge.

If you do make the cookie dough ahead of time, be sure it is in an airtight container, or wrapped tightly in a bowl covered with plastic wrap to keep all the moisture in.

I would also allow it to sit on your counter 15 minutes before baking, to soften it up.

Could I shape Soft Vanilla Cookies with a cookie cutter?

The dough for soft vanilla cookies is extremely soft. It isn’t like your other sugar cookie dough recipes. It would be really difficult to roll this dough out with a rolling pin.

We wouldn’t recommend it, but if you add a little more flour, to thicken the consistency of the cookie dough, you could roll it out easier.

Again, this is not recommended, and the soft vanilla cookies will lose their soft texture and sweet taste.

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Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (9)

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Looking for more holiday cookies? Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
  • Christmas Tree Cupcake Topper
  • Christmas Santa Cookies
  • Christmas Tree Brownies
  • Molasses Cookies
  • The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Soft and Chewy Ginger Cookies

Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (10)

Serves: 24

Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe

5 from 5 votes

These Soft Vanilla Cookies are rolled in sugar and are perfectly soft and chewy. You don't need a rolling pin or cookie cutters to make these delicious sugar cookies.

Prep Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

PrintPin

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup butter softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 ¼ cups flour

Frosting

  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ Tablespoon vanilla
  • 3 Tablespoons milk
  • cup sprinkles

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and granulated sugar.

  • Mix in eggs and vanilla until combined.

  • Add salt, baking powder and flour. Mix until well combined

  • Cover and chill for at least one hour in the refrigerator.

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

  • Roll dough into 1-inch balls and flatten using a glass until 1/2 inch thick.

  • Bake for 9-10 minutes, or until barely beginning to turn golden brown.

  • Let cookies cool completely.

Frosting

  • In a large mixing bow, cream together all frosting ingredients until smooth.

  • Frost cookies and top with sprinkles.

  • Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Here are more optional cookie toppings for these Soft Vanilla Cookies:

  • crushed candy canes
  • crushed Butterfingers
  • crushed Andes mints
  • gingersnap cookie crumbles
  • M&M’s
  • mini chocolate chips
  • frosting designs
  • shredded coconut

Nutrition

Calories: 197 kcal · Carbohydrates: 30 g · Protein: 2 g · Fat: 8 g · Saturated Fat: 5 g · Cholesterol: 33 mg · Sodium: 146 mg · Potassium: 22 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 21 g · Vitamin A: 244 IU · Calcium: 30 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl

  • Cookie Sheet

Recipe Details

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

This post was included in our 4 Quick and Easy Christmas Cookies video – for more inexpensive and delicious recipes like this one, click here to check it out!

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  1. Tracy says:

    Would you be able to use cookie cutters on this type of cookie?

  2. Cyd says:

    The dough for these cookies is too soft to use a cookie cutter.

  3. Angeline says:

    Is there any reason I couldn't make this dough and let it chill in the fridge for a few days before baking? Is there a good/better way to make the dough ahead of time and not bake it the same day?

  4. Cyd says:

    You could totally let this chill for a day or two. Just be sure it's covered well so it doesn't dry out.

  5. Jeanne says:

    Thanks for sharing this great recipe, wow did we ever loves this one! I posted a recipe review on my site if you'd like to check it out :-)

  6. Amy says:

    I prefer the soft cookies, easier to bite, and extract all of the flavors, instead of chewing a hard cookie.

  7. Jamie says:

    Do you use unsalted butter?

  8. Luz Rosado says:

    I bought some Nordic Ware cookies pan and I want to use them but I am not sure if that pans are good for all cookies recipes for example , your vanilla cookies. Please let me know what kind of recipe will I use in those pans.

  9. Anita says:

    How to store these cookies especially with the frosting on it? I am planning on making these for Christmas.Just abit worried about the storage.Thanks for your quick response!

  10. Cyd says:

    You could freeze them on a cookie sheet until the frosting sets up well, then you can stack them in an airtight container for freezing.

  11. Cyd says:

    If they are the Nordic Ware Cookie sheets, you will LOVE them. They are great for cookies of course, sheet pan recipes like our marshmallow brownies, lunch lady peanut butter bars, and SO many more recipes. If it's a half sheet they are about 17.8 x 12.8 inches. Wash them by hand. The dishwasher will ruin them. If you wash them by hand they will stay shiny and look great for a LONG time.

  12. Annette D Casanova says:

    What recipe did you use for the frosting? Did I miss it somehow? I am looking forward to making these.

  13. Cyd says:

    Scroll down in the post and you will see the entire recipe in a square. It will list all of the ingredients and the directions for the entire recipe.

  14. Kayla says:

    How many dozen cookies will one batch make?

  15. Lori says:

    Is there a step to roll in sugar or not? I see it but I don’t and planning to try recipe:)

  16. Patricia says:

    You can freeze the dough, too.

  17. Cyd says:

    These cookies were not rolled in sugar, but you could definitely add that step.

  18. Cyd says:

    If you scroll down to the full recipe it tells you how many it makes. It makes 24 cookies.

  19. Angie says:

    They were very easy to make and really tasty. Not too sweet which was awesome because the icing makes up for that. We even doubled the recipe because 24 cookies don’t last very long, especially when you’re sharing with the neighbors. BUT the recipe itself doesn’t say anything about rolling the dough balls in sugar (like the intro says) so figuring out how to smash them with a glass was tricky because they stick to the bottom really bad. Will be making these again though!

  20. Karen says:

    I found it a little dry. Is it because I used unsalted butter? If that would not be the problem, what can I add.

  21. Naomi says:

    I absolutely love these! They are so easy to make and I love that you can save the dough for later if you want to make a double batch and only bake half, which is what I do. They always come out perfect, even though I am not the best chef. I also love that you roll them in sugar because it gives them a nice outer layer, but if you want them to be less sugary you can just not roll them in sugar. The only concern is that they are almost exactly like store bought cookies, which some people don't like (like they don't really burn, they are crumbly and buttery at the same time). But if you are on the fence about these just MAKE THEM THEY ARE SO GOOD!!!

  22. Cyd says:

    Hi Naomi. Thanks for leaving such a sweet comment on our Soft Vanilla Cookies on Six Sisters Stuff. They are really so easy to make. We are happy that you like them. Have a great week.

  23. Valerie Lee says:

    Excellent Recipe. I absolutely HATE cooking but sometimes I will give it a try. Maybe the reason I am not a fan of cooking is because usually the finished product doesn't come out as I expect it to. I just made these for the first time and they were wonderful! Super simple and so soft and tasty. The frosting is melt in my mouth perfect. I have already gifted some and fixin to make another batch. This time I will roll a few in sugar as suggested just for a different taste, but really these are perfect as they are. The cookies came out soft and even after 2 days, still moist. this recipe is a keeper!! Thanks so much!

  24. Cyd says:

    Yeah Valerie! So happy to hear that you loved the Soft Vanilla Cookies. They really are so simple to make. Have a very Merry Christmas!

  25. Brea says:

    What if my dough turns out extremely sticky and fluffy? I can’t roll into balls. I don’t know what I did wrong

  26. Cathy says:

    Does the frosting set up a bit so they can be stacked?

  27. Vanessa says:

    Dip your glass in flour and this will make the cookies not stick!

  28. Cyd says:

    It will set up a little after being made. You can always add a more powdered sugar to your frosting if it's not thick enough.

  29. Cyd says:

    Just add a little more flour. Be sure you chill your dough as directed in the recipe.

  30. Jennifer Hoffman says:

    What is if I don't have parchment paper or a silicone mat?

  31. Cyd says:

    You are fine if you don't have parchment paper or a mat. These cookies usually don't stick. But you can very lightly grease you pan, or leave it as is.

  32. Evelyn Baird says:

    I don't ordinarily comment but I gotta say thanks for the post on this perfect one : D.

  33. Tracy says:

    Are the cookies sweet enough without the frosting (maybe if I rolled then in sugar)? They sound ready good, we just don't like frosting.

  34. Annette Specht says:

    This looks delicious! How many cookies do you get out of the recipe?

  35. Momma Cyd says:

    You get about 24 cookies.

  36. Momma Cyd says:

    You could totally roll them in sugar and then bake. No need for frosting if you don't really like it.

  37. Connie Osborne says:

    Everyone loved these cookies so soft and yummy. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe. This will be added to a family favorite

    Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (11)

  38. Evie says:

    These cookies are soft and delicious! My favorite 2020 cookie recipe!

    Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (12)

  39. AubreeJane says:

    These cookies are AMAZING. The first time I made them, I accidentally used too much milk in the frosting. So I added some cream cheese to try to thicken it up. It still ended up more like a glaze, but they were so addicting, I could not stop eating them! Pillowy soft, perfect amount of sweetness.I made them a second time, being careful w amount of milk in frosting. This produces A LOT of frosting and I used about half for a full recipe of cookies. But still insanely delicious. Going to make them again once I restock on my ingredients :)I suggest using a butter spray for the glass before flattening the dough. I had to spray quite frequently. And the faster you can work, the better. Preventing the butter in the dough from warning up will help keep the dough less sticky.

    Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (13)

  40. Lavonne H. says:

    Could you use gluten free flour in this recipe?

    Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (14)

  41. Chy says:

    I LOVE THIS RECIPE! I have been making it for years now, and they have never failed to impress people! Whenever people ask me to make cookies, these are always my go-to cookies. I highly recommend chilling the cookies, but I have not chilled them plenty of times and they still turned out delicious. (but they are slightly better if you do chill them)

    Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (15)

  42. Momma Cyd says:

    We have not tried these cookies with GF flour, but if you substitute it often for regular flour when baking then I'm sure it will be fine.

  43. Brandi says:

    Can you use almond flour instead of regular flour

  44. Momma Cyd says:

    Almond flour can be substituted for regular flour at a 1:1 ratio. It is important to note that almond flour may require more egg to bind the flour. So you might need to play with it for best results.

  45. Peggy Bruce says:

    These cookies sound awesome! Can they be made with margarine? My grandson can't have butter?

  46. Momma Cyd says:

    Yes, you can use certain types of margarine in place of butter when cooking and baking.

Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (16)

About The Author:

Kristen Hills

Kristen lives in northern Utah with her husband, Ammon, and her four daughters. She’s the blog’s YouTube guru and she loves running in her spare time.

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Soft Vanilla Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to soft cookies? ›

Baking cookies quickly in a hot oven – at 375 degrees F as opposed to a lower temperature – will make for soft results. They'll bake fast instead of sitting and drying out in the oven's hot air. Ever so slightly underbaking your cookies will give you softer results than cooking them the full amount the recipe says.

What makes cookie dough softer? ›

Eggs make cookies softer and puffier. It doesn't need to be a lot of egg; half of an extra large egg will make a difference in a basic recipe. You can also swap out egg yolks for whole eggs. A large egg weighs two ounces, so use your kitchen scale to get the same weight of yolks.

What happens if you don't put vanilla extract in cookies? ›

If you don't have any on hand, you can almost always omit the vanilla without impacting the final texture of your baked goods; although the rich flavor extract—or any form of vanilla—brings will certainly be altered. Just remember one thing: flavor comes first.

What makes cookies soft vs crispy? ›

Butter contributes milk solids and water to a cookie, both of which soften it. Brown sugar contributes molasses – again, a softener. Using lower-moisture sugar (granulated) and fat (vegetable shortening), plus a longer, slower bake than normal, produces light, crunchy cookies.

What keeps cookies soft and chewy? ›

The bread/apple trick

Here's a baker's trick you'll find in our new Monster Cookies recipe: Adding a piece of fresh white bread to the storage container will keep cookies from becoming hard or stale.

Is it OK to use melted butter instead of softened? ›

Softened butter and melted butter are not the same. Using melted butter will change the texture of whatever you're baking. If you only want the butter to soften for spreading, microwave it on the Defrost setting (30%) in 5-second increments until it's softened as desired.

How do you make cookies soft instead of hard? ›

There are a few things you can try to get soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies:
  1. Use a higher ratio of brown sugar to white sugar. ...
  2. Use more egg yolks and less egg whites. ...
  3. Add a bit of cornstarch to the dough. ...
  4. Make sure you're using the right type of flour. ...
  5. Don't over-bake the cookies.
Oct 26, 2022

What makes cookies chewy and not hard? ›

If you enjoy your cookies soft and chewy, chances are likely the recipe contains a common ingredient that serves a very specific purpose. No, it's not granulated sugar, nor the butter. It's not the egg, all-purpose flour, or even the vanilla extract. The simple, yet oh-so-necessary component is cornstarch.

What softens a cookie? ›

Just wrap a cookie or two in a damp paper towel and then put them in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. The moisture from the paper towel should soften the cookies right up. So if you wonder how to soften hard cookies quickly? Microwave is the way!

What does too much vanilla do to cookies? ›

Yes, you can eat cookie or cake batter that has more vanilla extract in it than what is called for in the recipe. That weird aftertastes is normal. If this happens in the future, try adding a little salt to balance out the flavor.

How much vanilla extract to use? ›

The amount of vanilla extract that can be used in a recipe depends on the recipe and personal taste preference. However, as a general guideline, most recipes call for between 1 and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract per batch.

Can I use honey instead of vanilla extract in cookies? ›

Maple Syrup or Honey

Its rich and sweet flavor makes a decent vanilla bean substitute and a great vanilla extract substitute. Honey's floral and bright sweetness is delightful in recipes like blondies, muffins, quick breads, cakes, and cookies.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

What does brown sugar do in cookies? ›

Brown sugar, meanwhile, is dense and compacts easily, creating fewer air pockets during creaming—that means that there's less opportunity to entrap gas, creating cookies that rise less and spread more. With less moisture escaping via steam, they also stay moist and chewy.

Why do my cookies get hard after they cool? ›

Cookies begin losing moisture through evaporation from the moment that they come out of the oven. So it's totally normal for them to harden up a bit. Yet, this is why you need to store them in an airtight container once they completely cool or they will continue to lose moisture.

What determines the moistness of a cookie? ›

Double Your Yolks Most cookie recipes call for at least one egg. You can try omitting the white of each egg, which tends to dry out when baked, and replacing it with an additional yolk. Plus, egg yolks have more fat than egg whites, which helps to keep your cookies moist and chewy.

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