Sugar Cookies that Hold Their Shape

My grandma’s recipe for the BEST soft, chewy sugar cookies that hold their shape. We use this recipe for perfect sugar cookies for Christmas, birthdays, and every time there’s a sugar cookie craving.

Sugar Cookies that Hold Their Shape

With Christmas almost here, I wanted to share my absolute favorite go-to sugar cookies that hold their shape perfectly.

Now, these sugar cookies aren’t just for Christmas, of course.  I use them for birthdays to cut out themed shapes and then flood them with royal icing. And I use them seriously, just any time I make sugar cookies for anything.   It’s another one of my grandma’s recipes that I’m incredibly lucky to have (and share).

These sugar cookies are delicious, they’re easy to make, and did I mention they hold their shape perfectly.

Now, if you’re looking for soft sugar cookies, the trick is to slightly under bake.  And bake times will differ based on how big your cut-out shape is.  I like to bake a test cookie by itself, and start checking at 5 minutes.  That way I’ll know exactly how long to cook the rest without ruining any (except for sometimes, maybe that one…).

Sugar Cookies that Hold Their Shape Recipe

Sugar Cookies that Hold Their Shape

My grandma's recipe for the BEST soft, chewy sugar cookies that hold their shape. We use this recipe for perfect sugar cookies for Christmas, birthdays, and every time there's a sugar cookie craving.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: From Scratch, Homemade, Sugar Cookies, Sugar Cookies that hold their shape

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 18

Calories: 130kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or lemon or almond

Instructions

• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add egg and beat well. Then add vanilla (or other flavoring) and mix again.
• Add dry ingredients and stir by hand with a large spoon.
• Roll cookies out on a floured surface using a floured rolling pin. Cut out cookies using a glass or cookie cutters.
• Place rolled out cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350° for about 5-7, until lightly brown on the edges. Cool before frosting.

Notes

Recipe makes 1-2 dozen cookies depending on the size of your cookie cutter.

Nutrition facts are for 1 plain cookie, assuming your batch made 18 cookies. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 0.3% | Calcium: 0.3% | Iron: 3.4%

Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

Did you like this Sugar Cookies that Hold Their Shape recipe? Find more on my Desserts and Christmas Cookies boards on Pinterest!

If you liked this Sugar Cookies that Hold Their Shape recipe, you might also like

Maple Cinnamon Cookies

White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Caramel Swirl Cookies

See More Cookies Recipes

See More Dessert Recipes