Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a nostalgic treat that’s buttery, soft, and just melts in your mouth, look no further—my Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe is absolutely fan-freaking-tastic. These cookies have a special place in my heart because they remind me of those cozy afternoons spent with family, sharing stories and sweets. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll be hooked on their delicate texture and subtle vanilla flavor. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step to make these little pockets of happiness in your own kitchen.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe has a purpose to create that signature tender crumb and buttery richness you’ll love. Picking high-quality ingredients helps too, especially the vanilla and butter for flavor that really shines through.

• Butter: Provides richness and that classic buttery flavor that makes these cookies feel indulgent.
• Vegetable oil: Adds moisture and keeps the cookies soft longer than butter alone.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the cookies crisp just a little around the edges.
• Powdered sugar: Ensures a soft, tender texture because it dissolves faster during mixing.
• Eggs: Bind all ingredients together and add structure.
• Vanilla extract: Boosts flavor with a warm, sweet aroma that’s key to this recipe.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the base. Make sure it’s spooned into the cup and leveled for accurate measuring.
• Baking soda: Reacts with cream of tartar for balanced leavening and subtle browning.
• Cream of tartar: Gives a slight tang and tenderizes the cookies beautifully.

Tweak to Your Taste

I like to keep this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe pretty classic because that simplicity is its charm. But honestly, tweaking it here and there can make it feel like your own special version. Whether it’s a little sprinkle of cinnamon or a splash of almond extract, you can totally make this cookie your own.

• Cinnamon Twist: I once added a teaspoon of cinnamon, and it added such a cozy warmth—perfect for fall baking.
• Almond Extract Swap: Trying almond instead of vanilla can offer a different but delightful flavor, just use half the amount!
• Gluten-Free Version: If you’re gluten-sensitive, swapping all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend works surprisingly well here.
• Decorations: Rolling dough balls in colored sugar before baking adds a festive crunch that’s fun for holidays.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter, Oil, and Sugars

This is where the magic starts! I use a stand mixer for this recipe and beat the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides every now and then so everything blends evenly. The combination of butter and oil here is what keeps these cookies so soft and tender.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add the two eggs and vanilla extract. I keep beating for another two minutes. This step helps incorporate air and makes the cookie dough lighter. Don’t skip scraping the bowl again; it’ll ensure the eggs mix entirely for a uniform dough.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. This keeps the leavening agents well distributed throughout the flour and avoids any unwanted lumps. Trust me, this little prep goes a long way.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet

With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients, a couple of spoonfuls at a time, to your wet mixture. This prevents flour clouds in the kitchen and helps the dough come together evenly. Mix until just combined—overmixing can make cookies tough, and we want soft, tender cookies here.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

I use a cookie dough scoop to portion the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. But you can skip the parchment if you prefer—the cookies will spread a bit differently but come out just as tasty. Bake them at 375°F for 7 to 8 minutes until you see the edges just turning a light golden brown. Watch them closely! These cookies can go from perfect to overdone in a flash.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They’ll firm up but stay beautifully soft inside. This residual heat step is key—I learned the hard way that moving them too early makes them fall apart.

How to Serve Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling these Amish sugar cookies with just a tiny dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect, especially around the holidays. Sometimes a few rainbow sprinkles or coarse sugar adds a playful crunch kids adore.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea, coffee, or even cold milk for dunking. For a cozy afternoon, I serve them alongside fresh fruit or a simple bowl of homemade applesauce—it’s a nod to Amish comfort food traditions.

Creative Ways to Present

If I’m bringing these to a gathering, I sometimes stack them in layers separated by parchment paper inside a pretty tin tied with a ribbon. They also look adorable arranged in a cookie jar or in little cellophane bags with a personalized tag for gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and delicious for up to a week. Sometimes I add a slice of bread in the container to keep them from drying out — it really works like a charm!

Freezing

I like to freeze leftover dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When I’m ready to bake, I just pop frozen dough balls directly on the baking sheet and add a minute or two to the baking time. Freezing fully baked cookies also works fine—just keep them tightly sealed to avoid freezer burn.

Reheating

To refresh the cookies, I warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. It brings back that freshly baked-soft texture and slightly toasted flavor. Avoid microwaving, which can make them chewy or too soft.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s just something so comforting about whipping up a batch of these Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe that feels a little like stepping back in time. I hope when you make them, you find that same joy of sharing a simple, heartfelt treat with your loved ones. They’re easy enough for even a beginner baker but tasty enough to impress everyone at the table. Give this recipe a try—I’m pretty sure it’ll become one of your favorites, just like it did mine.

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