12 Must-Make Sugar Cookie Recipes

Updated October 14, 2016
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Linda Hirst

You don't need a special occasion to indulge in these classic sugar cookies. Dress them up or dress them down for a great dessert table presentation. Whether you're looking to satisfy guests' sweet tooth cravings at the next holiday gathering, or simply have a great item to gift to friends and family, these cookies are the perfect answer. 

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Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies

Credit: Oxmoor House

Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies Recipe

This dough will work for slice-and-bake cookies or as a rolled dough for your favorite cookie cutters.

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Marbled Sugar Cookies

Credit: Kat Teutsch; Styling: Jerrie-Joy for Pat Bates and Associates

Marbled Sugar Cookies Recipe

Beautiful Marbled Sugar Cookies will make a festive addition to your fall table. 

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Lemon Sugar Cookies

Credit: Oxmoor House

Lemon Sugar Cookies Recipe

The stark contrast between the sweet sugars and the tart lemon juice gives these cookies personality and bite. They're a great afternoon treat with coffee or tea.

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Basic Icebox Sugar Cookies

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cathy Muir

Basic Icebox Sugar Cookies Recipe

Create unlimited cookie variations with this classic slice-and-bake cookie.

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Classic Iced Sugar Cookies

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

Classic Iced Sugar Cookies Recipe

Whether you're welcoming kids home from school, baking a treat for a party, or enjoying an afternoon to yourself, these cookies are the just-right sweet you need. If you want to create colorful cookies, divide the icing into portions and use food coloring to tint it different hues.

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Big Crunchy Sugar Cookies

Credit: Oxmoor House

Big Crunchy Sugar Cookies Recipe

Sparkling sugar cookies are holiday classics. These goodies, which earn their name from a coating of coarse sugar, received our Test Kitchens highest rating.

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Sugar Cookie Stars

Credit: Maura McEvoy

Sugar Cookie Stars Recipe

Sandwich your favorite jam in between two star-shaped sugar cookies (made from storebought dough) for an easy, fruity cookie treat. 

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Sugar Cookie Pops

Credit: Oxmoor House

Sugar Cookie Pops Recipe

To bake these adorable cookie pops, simply roll balls of sugar cookie dough in colored sprinkles and insert a white craft stick before baking.  Make a colorful (and edible) centerpiece for the kids' table by filling a container with florist foam, topping it with jelly beans, and then sticking the pops into the foam.

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Caramelized-Sugar Cookies

Credit: James Carrier

Caramelized-Sugar Cookies Recipe

Notes: Store these caramel cookies airtight for up to 2 days.

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Cornmeal Sugar Cookies

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Cornmeal Sugar Cookies Recipe

From the Kitchen of Robin Warren, Clarkesville, GA

"For me, the cornmeal gives a traditional sugar cookie a more complex crunch," says Robin. Cut the dough into desired shapes.

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Sugar Sand Cookies

Credit: Alan Richardson; Styling: Betty Alfenito

Sugar Sand Cookies Recipe

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Crispy Vanilla Sugar Cookies

Crispy Vanilla Sugar Cookies Recipe

Crispy and tender, bet you can't eat just one!

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Spritz Cookies

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Linda Hirst

Spritz Cookies Recipe

No holiday dessert table is complete without Spritz Cookies. For truly authentic Spritz Cookies, be sure to invest in a cookie press to get that oh-so-perfect shape.

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