Summer Sugar Cookies

Summer Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery cookies topped with cheerful icing and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for summer picnics, pool parties, or baking with the kids, these cookies are easy to decorate and even easier to enjoy.

Use seasonal shapes like suns, flip-flops, and popsicles to make them extra fun and festive.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Buttery and Soft: The perfect texture that melts in your mouth.
2. Fun to Decorate: A creative activity for kids or summer gatherings.
3. Customizable: Use any shape or color combo to match your theme.
4. Holds Shape: Dough chills well and bakes without spreading.
5. Perfect for Gifting: Wrap them up for party favors or summer thank-you treats.

What to Serve with Summer Sugar Cookies

1. Lemonade or Iced Tea: A refreshing drink pairs perfectly with the sweet cookies.
2. Ice Cream Sundaes: Add cookies as a crunchy topper.
3. Berry Fruit Salad: Balances the richness with fresh flavors.
4. Mini Sandwiches: Serve at summer parties alongside savory bites.
5. Cream Cheese Dip: A sweet, spreadable option for any extra cookies.

Ingredient Breakdown

Each ingredient helps create a cookie that’s easy to roll, bake, and decorate without crumbling or spreading:

1. Butter: Adds richness and flavor—use softened, unsalted butter.
2. Sugar: Sweetens and helps achieve that perfect soft texture.
3. Egg: Binds the dough and gives it structure.
4. Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor.
5. All-Purpose Flour: The base that keeps the cookies sturdy but soft.
6. Baking Powder & Salt: Lifts and balances the flavor.
7. Royal Icing or Glaze: For smooth decorating and vibrant color.
8. Sprinkles: Adds color, crunch, and fun.

Yield: 24 cookies

Summer Sugar Cookies

Print

Soft sugar cookies decorated with bright icing and sprinkles, perfect for sunny-day parties and summer fun.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk or lemon juice
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles for decorating

Instructions

1. Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
2. Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in egg and vanilla until well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Mix and Chill: Add dry mixture to wet ingredients and mix until dough forms. Divide in half, wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
5. Roll and Cut: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness and cut into shapes.
6. Bake: Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely.
7. Decorate: Mix icing ingredients to desired consistency, color as desired, and decorate cooled cookies. Add sprinkles while the icing is wet.

Notes

1. Storage: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
2. Freezing: Freeze plain cookies for up to 1 month; thaw and decorate later.
3. Flavor Twist: Add lemon zest or almond extract for a fresh twist.
4. Icing Shortcut: Use store-bought cookie icing if you’re short on time.

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 160Total Fat: 4gSodium: 65mgCarbohydrates: 23gSugar: 14gProtein: 2g

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Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping it up

Summer Sugar Cookies are the perfect sweet treat to bring some color and cheer to any warm-weather celebration.

Easy to bake and decorate, they’re just right for kids’ parties, backyard barbecues, or gifting to neighbors.

Grab your favorite cookie cutters and let the summer fun begin!