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No Spread Sugar Cookies Recipe

4.9 from 101 reviews

These No Spread Sugar Cookies are classic, buttery treats that hold their shape perfectly without spreading during baking. With a simple mix of butter, sugar, flour, egg, and vanilla extract, these cookies are easy to make and ideal for decorating with royal icing or fondant. Perfect for any occasion, they deliver a satisfying crisp edge and soft center, baked to a perfect golden finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 200 g Room Temperature Butter
  • 200 g Caster Sugar
  • 360 g Plain Flour (All-Purpose Flour)
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (or flavouring of your choice)
  • 1 Medium Egg

Instructions

  1. Cream Butter and Sugar: Cream together the room temperature butter and caster sugar using a mixer or by hand until the mixture is light and fluffy, forming the base of your cookie dough.
  2. Add Egg and Flavoring: Incorporate the medium egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (or your preferred flavoring) into the creamed mixture. Mix thoroughly until fully combined for a smooth batter.
  3. Add Flour Gradually: Slowly add the plain flour one tablespoon at a time, allowing each addition to absorb while mixing. Continue until you achieve a cohesive dough that clings together without being sticky.
  4. Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the cookie dough to a thickness of approximately 5mm. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes and place them onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
  5. Chill Dough: Refrigerate the cut cookie shapes for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps firm up the butter, ensuring the cookies hold their shape and do not spread when baked.
  6. Preheat and Bake: Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F) on a normal baking setting—not fan. Transfer the cookies with the parchment paper to a chilled baking tray placed on the middle oven shelf. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are slightly golden. For multiple batches, cool the baking tray completely between uses.
  7. Cool Cookies: Remove the baked cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling prevents breakage and prepares them for decorating.
  8. Decorate and Store: Once cooled, decorate your cookies with royal icing or fondant as desired. Store finished cookies in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh for up to a week.

Notes

  • Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easy creaming with sugar.
  • Do not overwork the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
  • Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading during baking.
  • Use parchment paper to avoid cookies sticking to the baking tray.
  • Cool baking trays completely before baking additional batches to ensure even cooking and proper cookie texture.
  • Decorate with royal icing or fondant once cookies are fully cooled for best results.
  • Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness, ideally away from heat and moisture.

Keywords: sugar cookies, no spread cookies, simple sugar cookies, holiday cookies, cookie decorating, buttery cookies, vanilla sugar cookies