Crispy Sugar Cookies

For something so simple, many different kinds of sugar cookies exist. There are soft cakey sugar cookies, slice-and-bake sugar cookies, and decorated cutouts. These crispy sugar cookies are their own special category. The whisper-thin cookies have a rich, buttery taste and a clean snap.

To get that crisp rather than cakey texture, roll the dough to 1/8 inch, cut it into neat shapes or circles, and pull the pans from the oven when the edges turn pale gold. As the cookies cool on a rack, they firm into crackly cookies that shatter under your teeth—simple, elegant, and tailor-made for dunking in cold milk or serving with espresso. Sugar cookie recipes like this are passed down generation to generation. This is a treat to serve at every potluck, holiday party or cookie swap.

Crispy Sugar Cookie Ingredients

• Butter: Butter traps air and builds structure for a lighter, crisp-edged cookie. The milk solids and fat in butter also add rich flavor and promote golden browning.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens and helps the dough spread into thin, crisp cookies. It also accelerates browning and creates that glassy snap after cooling.
• Eggs: Eggs bind the dough and provide moisture that turns into steam for a bit of lift in the oven. Their proteins set as they bake, giving the cookies strength to hold their shape. Pro tip: Use room-temperature eggs for baking.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract rounds out the sweetness and makes the butteriness taste more pronounced in these cookies.
• All-purpose flour: Flour helps form the cookie’s structure. Its moderate protein level keeps the texture tender yet sturdy.
• Baking powder: This chemical leavener releases carbon dioxide for a gentle lift, keeping the cookies from baking up too dense. It supports a finer crumb after the creaming step.
• Baking soda: Baking soda raises the dough’s pH, encouraging spread and deep, even browning. It also tempers acidity, so flavors come through clean and toasty.
• Salt: A pinch of salt sharpens vanilla and butter flavors while balancing sweetness. It also subtly strengthens the dough for a crisper bite.
• Milk: Milk adds enough moisture to smooth the dough and make rolling easier. The lactose in milk aids browning and contributes to a delicate, tender crunch. This recipe calls for 2% milk, but whole milk will work.

Directions

Step 1: Make the dough and chill it

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Editor’s Tip: Creaming butter and sugar properly ensures the best texture for these cookies. It should be fluffy and pale yellow.

Add the eggs and vanilla.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Cover and refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes or until easy to handle.

Step 2: Roll out and cut the cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8-inch thickness.

Using a 2-inch cookie cutter, cut into desired shapes. Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.

Editor’s Tip: These cutout cookies are perfect as simple circles, but you can do other shapes too. Stay away from anything too intricate.

Step 3: Bake and cool the cookies

Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Crispy Sugar Cookie Variations

• Add citrus zest: Finely grate lemon or orange zest into the creamed butter and sugar to brighten the cookies and add a fragrant finish.
• Swap the extract: Use almond or lemon extract instead of vanilla for a distinct flavor that pairs nicely with a crisp texture.
• Sandwich with jam: For a simple, classic cookie sandwich, spread a thin layer of raspberry or apricot jam between two cookies.
• Stir in warm spices: Whisk ground cardamom or nutmeg into the dry ingredients to add gentle warmth without overpowering the vanilla.

How to Store Crispy Sugar Cookies

Store these crispy sugar cookies in an airtight tin or container at room temperature, layering them between sheets of parchment so the crisp edges don’t rub or break. Keep them in a cool, dry spot away from sunlight and humidity, and avoid mixing them with softer cookies, which can cause them to lose their snap. If you’ve decorated them, let the icing fully set before stacking.

How long do crispy sugar cookies last?

Crispy sugar cookies keep their best snap for about four to five days and are generally fine for up to one week when stored at room temperature in an airtight container. For maximum crunch, stash them in a cool, dry spot and don’t store them with softer cookies or anything moist.

Can you freeze crispy sugar cookies?

Yes, this crispy sugar cookie recipe freezes well. Cool completely, then layer unfrosted cookies between parchment in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to three months; thaw at room temperature in a single uncovered layer to avoid condensation softening the snap. You can also freeze cut cookie dough shapes on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a bag and bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the cooking time if needed.

Crispy Sugar Cookie Tips

How do I know when my crispy sugar cookies are done?

To know when the crispy sugar cookie recipe is done baking, look for dry, matte tops and edges that are just turning light golden; the centers should look set, not shiny or wet. Peek underneath with a spatula. The bottoms should be pale golden, not deep brown. Start checking around the 10-minute mark, and remember they’ll crisp further as they cool on the rack.

Why are my crispy sugar cookies rough?

A rough, gritty surface may mean the sugar didn’t fully dissolve during creaming or you used a very coarse sugar. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, scraping the bowl so everything blends smoothly. Ragged edges can come from a dull cutter or overworked scraps; use a sharp cutter and re-roll only once.

How do I make my cookies crunchy?

For extra crunch, roll the dough thin—about 1/8 inch—and bake until the edges are a deeper golden rather than pale, then cool completely on a wire rack. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for the snappiest texture, and keep them away from softer cookies or moisture.

Watch How to Make Crisp Sugar Cookies

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