Ina Garten Sugar Cookie – A Classic Treat Made Elegant

When it comes to timeless baking, nothing beats a soft, buttery sugar cookie—and Ina Garten’s take on this classic is no exception. These cookies are tender, rich in vanilla flavor, and perfect for decorating or enjoying as-is with a warm cup of tea. The dough is easy to work with and holds its shape beautifully when cut with cookie cutters.

What Is Ina Garten Sugar Cookie?

Ina Garten’s sugar cookie is a buttery, soft-baked cookie made with basic ingredients—flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla—crafted to perfection. These cookies have a delicate crumb, subtle sweetness, and slightly crisp edges. They can be left plain, dusted with sugar, or decorated with royal icing for special occasions.

Other Ina Garten Recipes

• Ina Garten Chicken Chili
• Ina Garten Cioppino
• Ina Garten Jambalaya
• Ina Garten Curried Chicken Salad
• Ina Garten Boneless Ribeye Roast

Reasons to Try Ina Garten’s Sugar Cookie

• Soft and buttery texture – Melts in your mouth with every bite
• Perfect for decorating – Holds shape well with cookie cutters
• Ideal for all seasons – Adaptable for holidays, parties, or casual treats
• Simple ingredients – No complex steps or hard-to-find items
• Make-ahead friendly – Dough can be chilled and frozen
• Kid-friendly and fun to bake – Great activity for families
• Elegant enough for gifting – Wrap them up and share with loved ones

Ingredients Needed to Make Ina Garten Sugar Cookie

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon whole milk
• 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Extra flour for rolling
• Sanding sugar or royal icing (optional, for decorating)

Instructions to Prepare Ina Garten Sugar Cookie

Step 1: Whisk dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until evenly mixed, then set aside.

Step 2: Cream butter and sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using a stand or hand mixer until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.

Step 3: Add egg, milk, and vanilla

Mix in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 4: Combine dry and wet ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until the dough forms. Avoid overmixing.

Step 5: Chill the dough

Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilled dough is easier to roll and helps cookies hold their shape.

Step 6: Roll and cut

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out one disc of dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters and transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets.

Step 7: Bake until golden edges

Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 8: Decorate (optional)

Once completely cooled, decorate with royal icing or sprinkle with sanding sugar. Let icing dry before storing.

What Goes Well With Ina Garten Sugar Cookie

• Hot tea or coffee – Balances the sweetness with warmth
• Glass of cold milk – A classic, kid-approved pairing
• Fresh berries on the side – Adds a tart, fruity note
• Vanilla or strawberry ice cream – Turns cookies into a dessert sandwich
• Whipped cream and fruit – For an elegant cookie plate
• Lemon curd or jam – Spread between two cookies for a twist
• Holiday sprinkles or colored sugar – Makes them festive and fun

Key Tips for Making Ina Garten Sugar Cookie

• Chill the dough well – Prevents spreading and makes it easier to cut
• Use high-quality vanilla extract – It’s a key flavor in these cookies
• Avoid overbaking – Take them out when edges just start to turn golden
• Use parchment paper – Ensures cookies don’t stick and bake evenly
• Rotate the pan halfway through – Helps avoid uneven browning
• Dust cutters in flour – Keeps dough from sticking to shapes
• Cool completely before decorating – Prevents icing from melting

Creative Variations of Ina Garten Sugar Cookie

• Add citrus zest – Lemon or orange zest brightens up the flavor
• Mix in almond extract – For a bakery-style twist
• Use browned butter – Deepens the cookie’s richness
• Fill with jam – Create thumbprint-style cookies
• Dip in chocolate – Half-dip cooled cookies and sprinkle with nuts
• Turn into sandwich cookies – Spread frosting or Nutella in between
• Add cinnamon sugar – Lightly dust before baking for a snickerdoodle vibe

Storage Guidelines for Ina Garten Sugar Cookie

• Store in airtight containers – Keeps cookies fresh for 4–5 days
• Layer with parchment if decorated – Prevents smudging icing
• Freeze the dough – Wrapped discs can be frozen for up to 2 months
• Freeze baked cookies – Freeze undecorated cookies in airtight bags
• Let icing dry before storing – Helps preserve decoration details
• Avoid humid environments – Keeps cookies crisp, not soft

Reheating Tips for Ina Garten Sugar Cookie

• No reheating needed – These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature
• To refresh slightly – Warm in a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes
• Microwave for 5–10 seconds – Just enough to soften without melting
• Don’t reheat decorated cookies – Icing may melt or run
• Let thaw fully if frozen – Bring to room temp before serving

Nutritional Value (per cookie, approx.)

• Calories: 130
• Protein: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fat: 6g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 40mg

These sugar cookies offer a classic indulgence with moderate calories per serving.

FAQs

How do you keep sugar cookies soft and chewy?

To keep sugar cookies soft, avoid overbaking and remove them from the oven as soon as the edges turn lightly golden. Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture.

Can Ina Garten sugar cookie dough be made ahead of time?

Yes, sugar cookie dough can be made ahead and chilled for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the dough for up to 2 months. Let it soften slightly before rolling and cutting.

What’s the best thickness for rolling sugar cookie dough?

For even baking and soft centers, roll sugar cookie dough to about ¼ inch thickness. This helps the cookies hold their shape and remain tender inside.

Why do my sugar cookies spread too much while baking?

Cookies spread too much if the dough isn’t chilled or if there’s too much butter. Always chill the dough for at least an hour and measure ingredients carefully to prevent excess spreading.

Wrapping Up

Ina Garten’s sugar cookies are a beautiful blend of simplicity and elegance. Whether you decorate them or enjoy them plain, they never fail to impress. With their buttery texture, clean vanilla flavor, and easy-to-handle dough, these cookies belong in every baker’s rotation—perfect for holidays, birthdays, or everyday treats.

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