The Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe is simple, sweet and perfect for any day. These cookies are soft inside and slightly crisp on the edges.
The Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe is great for holidays, parties or tea time treats. You only need basic pantry ingredients and a little time.
Kids also love to help with the dough and shapes. Try this Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe once, and it may become your favorite cookie recipe.
My Experience With This Recipe
I first tried this recipe during a quiet weekend at home. The smell of butter and vanilla filled my kitchen. The cookies turned out soft, golden and beautiful. My family loved every bite and asked for more right away.
I enjoyed how easy the steps were to follow. No stress, only joy and warm cookies. Since then, I bake these cookies for birthdays, holidays and rainy days.
Recipe Card info
- Recipe Name: Ina Garten Sugar Cookie
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 32 mins
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
- Calories: 140 kcal per serving

Equipment List
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Rolling pin and cookie cutters (optional)
Ingredients You Need for Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Extra sugar for rolling or sprinkling
Instructions
1. Cream the butter and sugar
Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough mixture.
2. Add egg and vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix well, making sure everything blends smoothly for great flavor and texture.
3. Mix dry ingredients
In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, making an even dry mix that spreads flavor through every cookie.
4. Combine wet and dry
Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet bowl, mixing gently until a soft dough forms that pulls from the sides of the mixing bowl.
5. Chill the dough
Cover the dough and chill it in the fridge for thirty minutes, helping cookies hold their shape and bake evenly without spreading.
6. Shape the cookies
Roll dough into small balls or cut shapes with cookie cutters, placing each piece on lined baking sheets with space between cookies.
7. Add sugar topping
Lightly roll each dough ball in sugar or sprinkle sugar on shaped cookies, giving them sparkle and sweet crisp tops after baking.
8. Bake the cookies
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for ten to twelve minutes until edges turn light golden but centers stay soft.
9. Cool and enjoy
Let cookies cool on baking sheets briefly, then move them to cooling racks, allowing them to set fully before serving or storing.
Recipe Tips
- Chill dough for thicker cookies
- Do not overbake to keep centers soft
- Use real butter for best flavor
- Add lemon zest for fresh taste
- Decorate with icing for holidays
- Use parchment to prevent sticking
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect with milk, tea or coffee. Serve them on a pretty plate for guests or family gatherings. You can dust them with powdered sugar or add colorful sprinkles for fun.
They also make sweet gift bags for friends. Enjoy them fresh and warm for the best taste.
Best Sides To Serve With
Sugar cookies pair well with vanilla ice cream, hot chocolate, or fruit salad. They are also lovely beside cheesecake, pudding or custard. A warm drink like chai or latte makes them even more comforting and cozy.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for five days. You can also freeze baked cookies for up to two months. Place parchment between layers to avoid sticking.
To refresh cookies, warm briefly in a low oven for a few minutes. Do not microwave too long, or they may turn hard.

Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Extra sugar for rolling or sprinkling
Instructions
Cream the butter and sugar
- Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough mixture.
Add egg and vanilla
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix well, making sure everything blends smoothly for great flavor and texture.
Mix dry ingredients
- In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, making an even dry mix that spreads flavor through every cookie.
Combine wet and dry
- Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet bowl, mixing gently until a soft dough forms that pulls from the sides of the mixing bowl.
Chill the dough
- Cover the dough and chill it in the fridge for thirty minutes, helping cookies hold their shape and bake evenly without spreading.
Shape the cookies
- Roll dough into small balls or cut shapes with cookie cutters, placing each piece on lined baking sheets with space between cookies.
Add sugar topping
- Lightly roll each dough ball in sugar or sprinkle sugar on shaped cookies, giving them sparkle and sweet crisp tops after baking.
Bake the cookies
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for ten to twelve minutes until edges turn light golden but centers stay soft.
Cool and enjoy
- Let cookies cool on baking sheets briefly, then move them to cooling racks, allowing them to set fully before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chill dough for thicker cookies
- Do not overbake to keep centers soft
- Use real butter for best flavor
- Add lemon zest for fresh taste
- Decorate with icing for holidays
- Use parchment to prevent sticking
FAQs about Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe
1. Can I make the Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can chill the dough for up to two days. Keep it wrapped tightly. When ready to bake, let it soften slightly so you can roll and shape it easily without cracks.
2. Can I freeze this cookie dough?
Yes, shape the dough into balls, then freeze on a tray. Move to a freezer bag after firm. Bake from frozen by adding a few extra minutes, and enjoy fresh cookies anytime you want.
3. How to make Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe softer?
Do not overbake, and remove cookies when edges are just turning golden. Also store them in airtight containers. Adding a small piece of bread inside the container keeps them soft longer.
4. Can I add frosting or decorations?
Yes, you can add buttercream, royal icing, colored sugar or sprinkles. Let cookies cool fully before decorating so icing sets nicely and does not melt or run off the surface.
Conclusion
The Ina Garten Sugar Cookie Recipe is simple, sweet and always loved. Now you know how to make Ina Garten Sugar Cookie at home with easy steps.
With basic Ingredients for Ina Garten Sugar Cookie, you can bake soft and tasty cookies anytime. They are great for parties, gifts, or quiet evenings. Try this recipe soon and enjoy every sweet bite with a smile.
Sara Collins is a food blogger at TastyDive. She shares simple and family-friendly recipes made with everyday ingredients. Her mission is to help home cooks enjoy tasty meals without stress.


















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