Irresistible Soft Iced Vanilla Sugar Cookies in 30 Minutes

Name: Irresistible Soft Iced Vanilla Sugar Cookies in 30 Minutes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/4 cup milk; 2 cups powdered sugar (for icing); 2-3 tablespoons milk (for icing); 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)

Author: lia

Published: November 14, 2025

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the smell of soft iced vanilla sugar cookies baking in the oven—warm, buttery, and just sweet enough to make your kitchen feel like home. My grandma used to make these every Christmas, and now I carry on the tradition, though I’ve been known to whip up a batch just because on rainy afternoons. The secret? That perfect balance of tender crumb and smooth vanilla glaze that makes these cookies disappear faster than you can say “just one more!” They’re simple enough for beginner bakers yet special enough to impress at any gathering. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll understand why they’re my most requested recipe.

Why You’ll Love These Soft Iced Vanilla Sugar Cookies

Oh, where do I even begin? These cookies are my absolute go-to for so many reasons:

They come together in under 30 minutes – perfect for last-minute cravings or surprise guests
The texture is magically soft yet sturdy enough to hold that gorgeous glaze
The vanilla flavor shines through without being overpowering – just sweet enough
They’re holiday-ready but also wonderful for ordinary Tuesday afternoons
The icing is completely customizable – add sprinkles, food coloring, or even a dash of almond extract

Honestly, I’ve never met anyone who could resist them fresh from the oven. The way the house smells alone is worth making a batch!

Ingredients for Soft Iced Vanilla Sugar Cookies

Here’s what you’ll need to make these dreamy cookies. I like to split the ingredients into two parts—first for the cookies, then for that irresistible glaze:

For the Cookies:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (trust me, it needs to be soft!)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk

For the Icing:

2 cups powdered sugar, packed
2-3 tablespoons milk (start with 2 and add more as needed)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

That’s it! Simple ingredients, but when they come together, it’s pure magic.

How to Make Soft Iced Vanilla Sugar Cookies

Okay, let’s get baking! These cookies are wonderfully simple, but I’ve learned a few tricks over the years to make them absolutely perfect every time. Follow these steps, and you’ll have tender, glazed cookies that’ll make your kitchen smell like heaven.

Preparing the Cookie Dough

First things first – preheat that oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, let’s make the dough. Grab your softened butter (I leave mine out for about an hour before baking) and sugar. Cream them together until they’re light and fluffy – this takes about 2 minutes with a mixer. Don’t rush this step! That air you’re incorporating is what gives the cookies their lovely texture.

Beat in the egg and vanilla next – the mixture might look a bit curdled at first, but keep mixing until it smooths out. Now gradually add your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) about a half cup at a time. Finally, drizzle in the milk until you’ve got a soft, slightly sticky dough. If it feels too wet to handle, pop it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. I’ve definitely had to do this on humid summer days!

Baking the Cookies

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls – I use a small cookie scoop for this because it’s faster and keeps them all uniform. Place them about 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets (they’ll spread a bit). Gently flatten each ball with your fingers or the bottom of a glass – just slightly, so they bake evenly.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are just starting to turn golden. They might look underdone in the center, but trust me, they’ll firm up as they cool. Let them sit on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This patience is crucial – icing warm cookies leads to melty disasters!

Making the Vanilla Icing

While the cookies cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of milk. You want it thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but thin enough to drizzle. Add more milk a teaspoon at a time if needed – I usually end up using about 2 1/2 tablespoons total.

Now the fun part! Drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies with a spoon, or for fancier designs, transfer it to a piping bag with a small tip. The icing will set in about 30 minutes if you can wait that long!

Tips for Perfect Soft Iced Vanilla Sugar Cookies

After making these cookies more times than I can count, here are my hard-earned secrets:

Butter temperature matters – Too cold and it won’t cream properly; too warm and your cookies will spread. It should dent slightly when pressed.
Watch the clock – Pull cookies when edges are just golden. They’ll finish setting as they cool for that perfect soft center.
Icing consistency is key – Too thick? Add milk drop by drop. Too thin? More powdered sugar. It should drizzle slowly off a spoon.
Chill sticky dough – 30 minutes in the fridge makes handling much easier on humid days.
Double the batch – Trust me, you’ll want extras. They freeze beautifully!

Fun Twists on Our Classic Soft Iced Vanilla Sugar Cookies

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can dress it up! Here are some delicious variations I’ve tried over the years:

Swap vanilla extract for almond extract in the icing – just 1/4 teaspoon adds wonderful depth
Mix in lemon zest with the dry ingredients for bright, citrusy notes
Add a drop of food coloring to the icing for holidays – pastels for Easter, red and green for Christmas
Sprinkle with colored sugar before baking for extra sparkle and crunch
Fold in 1/2 cup sprinkles to the dough for funfetti-style cookies

The possibilities are endless – have fun making them your own!

Serving and Storing Soft Iced Vanilla Sugar Cookies

Here’s the best part—these cookies actually get even better after a few hours as the flavors meld together. I always sneak one fresh from the oven (who doesn’t?), but they’re at their absolute best the next day. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay soft for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the freezer (unfrosted works best) for up to 3 months. When the craving hits, just thaw at room temperature and ice them fresh. Perfect with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of tea—I won’t judge if you eat three!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! I do this all the time for last-minute treats. Just roll the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, no need to thaw—just add 1-2 minutes to the baking time. They come out just as soft and delicious!

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Three tricks I swear by: 1) Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, 2) Chill sticky dough for 30 minutes before baking, and 3) Use parchment paper—it helps regulate heat better than greased pans. If they still spread, try adding an extra tablespoon of flour next time.

Can I make these without the icing?
Of course! The cookies are wonderful plain, or you can roll them in cinnamon sugar before baking for a different twist. But trust me—that vanilla glaze takes them from good to “can’t-stop-eating-them” amazing!

Why are my cookies dry?
Overbaking is usually the culprit. Pull them when the edges are just golden—the centers will set as they cool. Also, measure your flour correctly (spoon it into the cup, don’t scoop!) and don’t skip the milk—it’s key for that soft texture.

Nutritional Information

Just so you know – these numbers are estimates based on standard ingredients. Each soft iced vanilla sugar cookie comes in at about 150 calories, with 12g sugar and 6g fat. Not that anyone’s counting when they taste this good!

Ready to Bake? Try These Soft Iced Vanilla Sugar Cookies Today!

Go ahead, preheat that oven and grab your mixing bowl—it’s time to make magic happen! These soft iced vanilla sugar cookies are waiting to fill your kitchen with that warm, buttery aroma and your heart with joy. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, I promise they’ll bring smiles all around. Share your results with me—I’d love to hear how they turned out (and maybe even see a photo or two!). Happy baking!