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Amish Sugar Cookies

Categories Christmas Recipes, Desserts, Holiday Recipes, Recipes

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Last Updated on October 9, 2023 by Allison Lancaster

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own.

These Amish sugar cookies are soft, chewy, full of vanilla flavor, and perfect for dunking in milk. There’s no going back once you’ve tried this simple sugar cookie recipe!

Freshly baked Amish sugar cookies on a wire rack.

What is milk’s best friend? A soft, chewy cookie for sure. To be more exact, a batch of soft sugar cookies with a buttery flavor and crispy edges. Add a couple of cold glasses of milk upon serving as a great way to spend some family treat time.

While there are many versions of the sugar cookie out there, I’ve found this simple recipe to tick all the boxes of maximum flavor and minimal effort, using basic ingredients that can easily be adapted to suit your preferences.

amish sugar cookies on wire cooling rack

Amish Sugar Cookies Ingredients & Substitutions:

Amish sugar cookies ingredients

Butter – Softened and unsalted. 

Vegetable oil – Canola oil or coconut oil can also be used. 

Granulated sugar – You’ll also need 2 tablespoons of granulated white sugar for sprinkling on the soft Amish sugar cookies.

Vanilla extract – Almond extract can be used instead. 

Large eggs – Bring to room temperature.

All-purpose flour – Gluten-free flour can be used for those with food allergies.

Baking powder – Always check the expiry date to ensure a good rise in cookie recipes. 

Cream of tartar – This adds flavor and chewiness to these Amish butter cookies. 

What is milk’s best friend? A soft, chewy cookie for sure. To be more exact, a batch of soft sugar cookies, with a couple of cold glasses of milk is a great way to spend some family treat time.

How To Make Amish Sugar Cookies

  • Preheat the oven.
  • Mix the butter, oil, sugars and vanilla in large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.
  • Whisk the flour, baking powder and cream of tartar in a separate bowl.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
  • Scoop the batter onto baking sheets with parchment paper or wax paper using a cookie scoop or regular spoon.
  • Bake the Amish cookies, then allow the baked cookies to cool on a wire rack.
  • Frost or add your favorite icing to these classic sugar cookies if desired.
Oil poured into a bowl with butter, sugar, and vanilla extract.
Wet and dry ingredients fully combined in a mixing bowl to make Amish sugar cookies.
Wet ingredients mixed into the flour, baking powder, and cream of tartar in a mixing bowl.
Amish sugar cookie dough balls added to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Amish sugar cookie dough balls on a baking sheet ready to be baked, mixing bowl with dough and a cookie scoop next to the baking sheet.
Baked Amish sugar cookies removed from the oven.
Amish sugar cookies transferred to a wire rack to cool.
Stacked Amish sugar cookies with a glass of milk, ready to be enjoyed.

Serve

Serve these old-fashioned sugar cookies with a glass of milk as a delicious treat, or add them to a platter of cookies to enjoy over the holiday season at home or for Christmas cookie exchanges! 

These cookies can also be crumbled over ice cream as a delicious dessert. They’re perfect as beautiful holiday gifts that can be added to clear bags or paper boxes and decorated with ribbons and gift tags. 

How To Store Amish Sugar Cookies

These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or in the fridge for longer. 

You can also freeze these traditional sugar cookies for up to 3 months and thaw them at room temperature to serve again. 

Recipe FAQ’s:

What makes these cookies super soft?

The addition of the oil plus the butter is one of the reasons these cookies are so soft. The extra secret is that you will take them out of the oven just before they are done baking. Allow them to cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet, before moving to wire racks.

This allows the cookies to finish baking, without direct heat that may cause them to burn or overcook. Nice, soft, chewy cookies are the result.

What variations can I make to these cookies?

Roll the cookie dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking for added warmth. Food coloring can be added to the dough to create different colors for specific holidays or party themes. If you decide to frost your cookies, consider adding green sprinkles for the holidays or another color. Chocolate chips and chopped nuts are great add-ins too!

How far in advance can I make these cookies?

These Amish cookies can be made a few days to a week in advance and stored at room temperature or in the fridge. I recommend adding fresh icing and toppings just before serving for the best texture or leave them plain.

Can I freeze the cookie dough balls?

Absolutely! Freezing rolled cookie balls is another great way to reduce preparation time, ready for you to thaw and bake for a fresh batch of cookies! The frozen cookie dough balls will last for up to 3 months.

Do I have to chill the cookie dough for this sugar cookie recipe?

Chilling cookie dough before baking allows the dough to set and will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. You’ll get deliciously fluffy cookies that are crispy on the outside and slightly gooey inside! I haven’t needed to chill the cookie dough for these cookies, but you’re more than welcome to do so. 

Other Delicious Sugar Cookies

I hope you enjoy these scrumptious Amish sugar cookies! If you do try them, please come back and leave me a comment letting me know how you liked them. And if you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I love hearing from you!

Amish sugar cookies on a wire rack.
Yield: 24

Amish Sugar Cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes

Soft and buttery Amish Sugar Cookies are chewy inside with crisp edges. Top them with your favorite frosting or plain to dunk into a glass of milk!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar for sprinkling on cookies
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 & 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, vegetable oil, sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time until combined. Set aside.
    3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and cream of tartar. Add half of the flour mixture to the wet mixture and beat just until combined. Add the remaining flour and beat until all flour is combined, but do not over mix.
    4. Scoop the batter into 1 to 1 ½ inch balls onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
    5. Sprinkle the top of each cookie with a pinch of granulated sugar.
    6. Bake the cookies at 375F for 8-10 minutes, until they begin to lightly brown around the edges.
    7. Remove the cookies from the baking sheet with a spatula and cool slightly on a wire cooling rack.

Notes

  • Roll the cookie dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking.
  • Add food coloring to the dough to create different colors.
  • Frost with your favorite icing.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 253Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 91mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 0gSugar: 14gProtein: 2g
© Allison Lancaster
Cuisine: American / Category: Desserts
Amish Sugar cookies Pin

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