These Amish sugar cookies are soft, tender, and delicately sweet with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Made with simple pantry ingredients and no chilling required, they’re a classic, comforting treat that comes together quickly and delivers rich, buttery flavor in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies are incredibly soft and stay that way for days thanks to the combination of butter and oil. The dough is easy to mix, requires no refrigeration, and bakes evenly every time. Their mild sweetness makes them perfect on their own or as a base for glazes, sprinkles, or flavored extracts.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup canola oil
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, canola oil, granulated sugar, and confectioners’ sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs and mix until fully blended. Stir in the vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms.

Drop the dough by small teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes approximately 6 dozen small cookies.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 8–10 minutes per batch
Total time: about 30 minutes

Variations

For a glazed finish, drizzle cooled cookies with a simple glaze made from confectioners’ sugar and a small amount of milk.
For warm flavor notes, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, chai spice, or pumpkin spice to the dry ingredients.
For a flavor twist, replace half of the vanilla extract with almond, lemon, or orange extract.

Storage/Reheating

Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them extra soft, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies.

For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in airtight containers with parchment paper between layers for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without cream of tartar?

No, cream of tartar is essential because it reacts with the baking soda to create the soft, tender texture these cookies are known for.

Why does this recipe use both butter and oil?

Butter provides flavor, while oil helps keep the cookies moist and soft even after they cool.

Do I need to chill the dough?

No, this dough is designed to be baked immediately, saving time without sacrificing texture.

Can I make the cookies larger?

Yes, but you’ll need to increase the baking time slightly and watch closely to avoid overbaking.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The cookies are ready when the edges are lightly golden and the centers look set but still pale.

Can I add sprinkles?

Yes, sprinkles can be mixed into the dough or added on top before baking for a festive look.

What makes these cookies so soft?

The combination of confectioners’ sugar, oil, and cream of tartar creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Can I use salted butter?

Yes, but reduce any added salt elsewhere in your baking to keep the flavor balanced.

Are these cookies good for decorating?

They are best enjoyed plain or lightly glazed, as their softness makes detailed decorating more difficult.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, this recipe doubles well and is great for baking large batches for gatherings.

Conclusion

Amish sugar cookies are a timeless classic that showcase how simple ingredients can create extraordinary results. Soft, buttery, and easy to make, they’re perfect for everyday baking, sharing with loved ones, or building your confidence with traditional cookie recipes.

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