Oh, you are going to adore this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe! Imagine sinking your teeth into a cookie that’s soft, buttery, and melts so effortlessly in your mouth, it feels like a little hug baked fresh from the oven. These cookies carry the warmth and simplicity of traditional Amish baking, with each ingredient playing a vital role in creating that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings, special treats, or a cozy afternoon snack, this recipe brings a comforting sweetness that’s truly timeless.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity—just a handful of staple ingredients that come together to create something magical. Each item not only contributes to the delightful softness and flavor but also helps give these cookies their classic, slightly chewy texture and appealing golden tone.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Adds rich creaminess and ensures the cookies stay tender.
- Vegetable oil (1 cup): Keeps the cookies moist and soft without weighing them down.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Provides sweetness and a subtle, crispy bite to the cookie’s exterior.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Enhances the cookie’s delicate crumb and contributes to a lighter texture.
- Large eggs (2): Bind everything together and add a slight richness for perfect structure.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): The secret behind that irresistible warm aroma and flavor.
- All-purpose flour (4 ½ cups): The foundation that gives the cookie its classic shape and tenderness.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft bite.
- Cream of tartar (1 teaspoon): Adds a gentle tang and improves the cookie’s texture, keeping it soft.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and brightens all the flavors beautifully.
How to Make Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and don’t forget to line your baking sheets with parchment paper—it’s a simple step that prevents sticking and ensures your cookies bake evenly without burning underneath.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Oils, and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until your mixture is smooth and fluffy. This step is crucial because it traps air, giving your Amish sugar cookies that light, tender texture we crave. Once you’ve reached this creamy stage, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until everything blends beautifully.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
Whisk the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a separate bowl. This ensures your leaveners are evenly distributed, which is key for consistent rising and a perfected texture. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms—it’s okay if it’s a bit sticky, that’s part of what makes these cookies so melt-in-your-mouth.
Step 4: Portion and Shape the Cookies
Using rounded tablespoons, drop cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each. If you want them to look extra neat and uniform, press down gently with the bottom of a glass or your palm. This helps the cookies spread out evenly and bake into that classic round shape.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, just until their edges start turning a gentle golden color. It’s super important not to overbake them; you want these Amish sugar cookies soft, not crisp. Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling so they firm up just enough without losing their tenderness.
How to Serve Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light sprinkle of sugar on top before baking gives a subtle sparkle and sweet crunch, but feel free to get creative—add a dusting of cinnamon or a tiny touch of icing for a festive flare that’s just as beloved in Amish celebrations.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of tea, fresh lemonade, or even a glass of cold milk. The creamy milk is especially magical alongside the soft, buttery texture, creating tastes that feel simply nostalgic.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a charming wooden platter or in a vintage tin to highlight their traditional roots. Wrapping them up in a sheer ribbon makes for an adorable gift, perfect for sharing the joy of this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe with friends or neighbors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Amish sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh and tender for up to a week. Avoid refrigerating as it can dry them out, and who wants that when these cookies should be melt-in-your-mouth chewy?
Freezing
If you want to save these for later, freeze the cookies in a sealed freezer-safe bag or container. When stored properly, they keep their flavor and texture beautifully for up to three months, so you can enjoy your favorite Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe any time you want a sweet escape.
Reheating
To enjoy them fresh again, simply warm a few cookies in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes or until warmed through. This helps restore their soft, freshly baked feel without crisping them out.
FAQs
Can I substitute any ingredients in the Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe?
While this recipe is pretty straightforward to maintain the authentic texture, you can swap vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a slight twist or use gluten-free flour if you need a gluten-free version, but the texture might vary slightly.
How long do Amish sugar cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh and tender for about one week at room temperature — perfect for enjoying throughout the week or sharing with family.
What makes this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe different from other sugar cookies?
The combination of butter and vegetable oil, along with cream of tartar, gives these cookies that tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality that’s distinctively soft and lightly tangy—something you won’t always find in typical sugar cookie recipes.
Can I add frosting or decorations to these cookies?
Absolutely! While the simplicity of this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe shines on its own, you can definitely add frosting, colored sugar, or edible sprinkles to dress them up for holidays or celebrations.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly as it contains no meat or animal-based gelatin ingredients, just great baking staples that fit well into a vegetarian diet.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting and special about a homemade Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe. Each bite feels like a sweet little moment of calm and joy, reminding us that the best recipes are often the simplest ones made with care. I really hope you give this recipe a try—you might just find that it becomes your go-to treat for any occasion, loved by friends and family alike.
Print
Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Amish Sugar Cookies are a classic American dessert known for their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and buttery flavor. This traditional recipe blends unsalted butter and vegetable oil to create a tender dough, enhanced with both granulated and powdered sugars for the perfect sweetness. Easy to prepare and bake, these cookies are great for holiday gifting or any time you want a comforting homemade treat.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a light texture. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. If a more uniform shape is desired, flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass or your palm.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the cookie edges just start to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake to maintain their soft texture.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents them from becoming soggy.
Notes
- The cookies have a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture perfect for any occasion.
- For a sweet crunch, sprinkle sugar on top of the cookies before baking.
- These cookies freeze well, making them ideal for holiday gifting or making ahead.
