Name: Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 38 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter softened; 1 cup vegetable oil; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 4½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 24 reviews

If you’ve ever wanted a cookie recipe that’s truly a nostalgic hug from scratch, you’re in the right place! This Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe is one of those gems—soft, buttery, and just the right balance of sweet without being overpowering. Honestly, every time I make these, I get immediate requests for seconds (and sometimes thirds). Stick around—I’ll share all the tips and tricks to make your batch perfect every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture: The blend of butter and vegetable oil creates cookies that are soft and tender but not greasy.
Balanced Sweetness: Using both granulated and powdered sugar gives a smooth sweetness with just a hint of chewiness.
Simple Ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find ingredients here—just classic pantry staples that come together easily.
Quick and Easy: No chilling needed, which means you can enjoy fresh cookies in under an hour.

Amish Sugar Cookies, soft buttery sugar cookies, nostalgic cookie recipe, homemade Amish cookie ideas, easy sugar cookie recipe - A close-up image shows a stack of soft, round cookies with a light beige color, each cookie having a soft, slightly cracked top texture. The cookies are piled unevenly on each other, showing their light, fluffy thickness and soft edges. The background surface is a white marbled texture that adds a clean contrast to the cookies' pale color. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

I love how these ingredients complement each other so well. Each one plays a specific role in making these Amish Sugar Cookies rise just right, stay soft, and taste buttery-sweet without overwhelm. When you pick your ingredients fresh and quality, the difference shows big time.

Amish Sugar Cookies, soft buttery sugar cookies, nostalgic cookie recipe, homemade Amish cookie ideas, easy sugar cookie recipe - Flat lay of a small square of pale yellow softened butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear vegetable oil, a small white bowl heaped with white granulated sugar, a small white bowl containing fine white powdered sugar, two large whole eggs with smooth brown shells, a small white bowl of golden vanilla extract, a mound of light beige all-purpose flour on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl with off-white baking soda powder, a small white bowl with white cream of tartar powder, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Use softened (not melted) butter for that rich, creamy flavor and to ensure your dough mixes evenly.
Vegetable Oil: This adds moisture and keeps the cookies tender without weighing them down.
Granulated Sugar: Provides structure and a slight crunch on the edges.
Powdered Sugar: Helps keep the cookies soft and contributes to a delicate crumb.
Eggs: Bind all ingredients together and add richness.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall sweetness and depth—fresh, pure vanilla makes a noticeable difference.
All-purpose Flour: The base—holds everything together and creates that classic cookie texture.
Baking Soda: Helps with a gentle rise and a slight chewiness in the cookie.
Cream of Tartar: Adds acidity which brightens flavors and works with baking soda for leavening.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want to add a punch of cinnamon, swap up the vanilla for almond extract, or keep it classic, the base is forgiving and delicious.

Cinnamon Twist: Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to the dry ingredients gives the cookies a cozy, warm flavor—perfect for fall. I did this last Thanksgiving, and they were gone before dinner!
Almond Extract Variation: Try swapping half the vanilla for almond extract for a subtle, nutty undertone that’s fantastic with a dusting of powdered sugar on top.
Frosted Version: If you’re feeling festive, a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and lemon juice adds a tangy sweetness that plays beautifully with these cookies.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: You can replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, but I recommend adding a teaspoon of xanthan gum for structure.

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

Step 1: Prep and Get Your Station Ready

Before diving in, preheat your oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper—trust me, it makes cleanup so much easier. If you don’t have parchment, don’t stress; ungreased sheets work fine, too. I always like having everything laid out before mixing because it keeps me organized and speeds things up.

Step 2: Cream the Fats and Sugars

In your mixer bowl, beat together the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until everything’s creamy and smooth. This usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes on medium speed. Scrape down the sides as needed so you don’t miss any hidden pockets of sugar. This step is key for that perfect cookie consistency.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add the eggs and vanilla extract. Beat them for another 2 minutes until fully incorporated and fluffy! Don’t rush this part—well-beaten eggs help your cookies hold their shape and texture.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. This makes sure the leavening agents are evenly distributed and prevents clumps.

Step 5: Mix Dry into Wet Gradually

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture with your mixer on low. Doing this a couple of spoonfuls at a time keeps the flour from flying everywhere and helps create an evenly mixed dough. Once combined, your dough will be soft and easy to scoop.

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Use a cookie dough scoop to portion out even spoonfuls onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Look closely—the cookies bake fast, so catching them at that light golden edge is key to soft centers.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Transfer the cookies to cooling racks right after baking. They firm up a bit as they cool but stay tender inside—perfect for dunking in milk or coffee. If you’re anything like me, these won’t last long!

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Tips from My Kitchen

Don’t Overbake: I always set my timer for 7 minutes and start checking at that point—cookies can go from perfect to too crisp in just a minute.
Soft Butter is Key: Room temp butter blends more evenly than melted, giving you that ideal cookie crumb.
No Chill, No Problem: This dough is super forgiving and doesn’t require chilling; I usually skip it to save time.
Use a Cookie Scoop: Keeps your cookie sizes consistent so they bake evenly every time.

How to Serve Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe

Amish Sugar Cookies, soft buttery sugar cookies, nostalgic cookie recipe, homemade Amish cookie ideas, easy sugar cookie recipe - The image shows a close-up of several sugar cookies stacked on top of each other. Each cookie has a light golden color with a soft, slightly cracked surface, and a round, somewhat puffy shape. The cookies have a smooth, almost crumbly texture visible on the outside, and the edges show a gentle browning. The cookies are placed on a white marbled surface, filling the frame with no other items or background elements visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like keeping it classic—sometimes just a light dusting of powdered sugar is enough to make these cookies look special. Other times, I whip up a simple lemon glaze for a bright twist. Sprinkles on top for a festive touch—especially around holidays—are an easy and fun way to customize without fuss.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of tea or coffee—perfect for afternoon snacks. I also love serving them alongside a rich hot chocolate when guests come over in winter. For a brunch or party platter, throw in some fresh fruit and cheese for a nice contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I stacked these cookies into little towers tied with rustic twine as party favors—it was a hit! They also look charming served in a wooden box with some shredded paper and wrapped cellophane for gifting. Use cookie cutters before baking to make festive shapes that wow at holiday gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and fresh for about 4 days. If you live somewhere humid, add a slice of bread in your container—it surprisingly helps maintain moisture and softness!

Freezing

If I want to make these ahead of time, I freeze baked cookies by layering them in a freezer-safe container separated by parchment paper. They keep well for up to 3 months, and thaw quickly on the counter when you’re ready.

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, I pop a few in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or heat briefly in a low oven (300°F for 5 minutes). This revives their softness and makes them feel freshly baked again.

FAQs

Can I use butter instead of vegetable oil in this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe?

Yes, you can swap out vegetable oil for an equal amount of butter, but the texture will be a bit different. Vegetable oil helps keep cookies extra soft and moist, while butter alone may yield a slightly firmer cookie. I prefer the original combo, but it’s your call!
Do I really need cream of tartar for these cookies?

Cream of tartar is traditional in Amish sugar cookie recipes and helps give the cookies a nice tender crumb and slight tang, but if you’re in a pinch, you can omit it. Your cookies may spread a little more or be less puffy, but they’ll still taste delicious.
Why don’t I need to chill the dough for this recipe?

This Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe’s dough is quite forgiving and doesn’t spread excessively, so chilling isn’t necessary. Chilling can sometimes change the texture, but I find that scooping and baking right away yields tender, soft cookies every time.
How do I keep my cookies soft for longer?

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of fresh bread or a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Avoid refrigeration which can dry them out. This little trick has helped me keep cookies soft for days.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe feels like a little slice of comfort—a warm memory baked into every bite. It’s tried, true, and loved by everyone I’ve shared it with, including my pickiest cookie testers (my kids!). I hope you’ll give it a go and enjoy these soft, buttery treats fresh from your oven just like I do. And if you make a batch, don’t forget to let me know how they turn out—I’m cheering you on in your kitchen adventure!