Name: Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 38 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter softened; 1 cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup powdered sugar; 4½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 26 reviews

If you’ve been on the hunt for that perfectly soft, melt-in-your-mouth classic treat, you’re going to love this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies have been a favorite in my kitchen for years, bringing back cozy memories and satisfying sweet cravings anytime I need a little comfort. They’re simple to make, forgiving for beginners, and endlessly delicious—seriously, they disappear almost as fast as you bake them. Stick around, and I’ll share all my tried-and-true tips to help you bake your best batch yet!

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Fats: Combining butter and vegetable oil keeps these cookies tender but with just enough structure to hold their shape perfectly.
Dual Sugars: Using both granulated and powdered sugar delivers a delightful texture and subtle sweetness without any grit.
Simple Ingredients: Flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar work in harmony to create that classic chewy yet soft crumb you expect from an Amish sugar cookie.
No Chill Needed: You can skip chilling the dough—making this perfect for when you need a quick batch of homemade cookies without the wait.

Amish Sugar Cookies, Amish Sugar Cookies recipe, soft Amish sugar cookies, classic sugar cookie recipe, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies - A close-up image shows a stack of soft, round cookies with a light beige color, each cookie having a soft, slightly cracked top texture. The cookies are piled unevenly on each other, showing their light, fluffy thickness and soft edges. The background surface is a white marbled texture that adds a clean contrast to the cookies' pale color. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe come together like an old recipe box well-loved by generations; each one plays a vital part in creating that nostalgic cookie texture and flavor. When you choose good quality basics and understand their role, you’ll bake cookies worthy of sharing – or sneaking bites on your own!

Amish Sugar Cookies, Amish Sugar Cookies recipe, soft Amish sugar cookies, classic sugar cookie recipe, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies - Flat lay of a small square of pale yellow softened butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear vegetable oil, a small white bowl heaped with white granulated sugar, a small white bowl containing fine white powdered sugar, two large whole eggs with smooth brown shells, a small white bowl of golden vanilla extract, a mound of light beige all-purpose flour on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl with off-white baking soda powder, a small white bowl with white cream of tartar powder, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Softened butter adds richness and flavor that vegetable oil alone can’t match, creating a luxuriously tender crumb.
Vegetable Oil: This keeps the cookies soft and moist, preventing them from becoming too dense or dry.
Granulated Sugar: Gives structure and a gentle crunch on the outside, balancing sweetness throughout.
Powdered Sugar: Helps create a silky texture, contributing to the cookie’s melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Eggs: Bind the dough together and add a touch of moisture to keep everything perfect.
Vanilla Extract: This classic flavor enhancer brings warmth and depth to every bite.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, it offers the right balance of gluten for chewiness without toughness.
Baking Soda: Acts as a leavening agent, giving the cookies a slight lift and soft edges.
Cream of Tartar: Adds a subtle tang and works with baking soda to make these cookies tender and lightly airy.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love about this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe is how flexible it is—perfect to customize to your liking. Whether you want to add a little twist or keep it classic, it’ll shine either way.

Add Zest: I sometimes toss in a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to brighten the flavor, especially in spring or summer baking.
Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add an extra cozy touch for the holidays, giving these cookies a warm, inviting aroma.
Nutty Crunch: Chopped nuts folded into the dough give a pleasant texture contrast, which my family adores.
Dietary Adjustments: You can swap vegetable oil for melted coconut oil for a subtle flavor change, or use gluten-free flour blends if you’re gluten sensitive—just test for dough consistency.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter, Oil, and Sugars

First things first, start by softening your butter to room temperature—that’s key. Then, in the bowl of your stand mixer (or use a hand mixer), beat together the butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. About 2 to 3 minutes does the trick. This step is important because it incorporates air into the dough, helping your cookies stay soft and slightly tender. Don’t rush it—scrape down the sides of the bowl a couple of times to mix everything evenly!

Step 2: Mix in the Eggs and Vanilla for Moisture and Flavor

Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, then pour in the vanilla extract. Beat everything on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until the dough comes together smoothly without streaks of egg. This helps future-proof the dough’s texture so it won’t be dry or overly dense once baked. If you notice any unmixed bits on the bowl edges, give it another scrape and mix a bit more!

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

While your wet mixture is resting, whisk your all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar together in another bowl. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents, which is crucial for a consistent texture.

Step 4: Slowly Add Dry to Wet to Careful Perfection

With your mixer running on low speed, add the flour mixture in batches, just a couple of spoonfuls at a time. This gentle mixing will keep your dough from becoming tough. Once all the flour is incorporated, stop mixing to avoid overworking the dough. Overmixing develops gluten, making your cookies less soft—so watch for that!

Step 5: Scoop, Bake, and Cool

Using a cookie dough scoop (or a tablespoon), drop the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or directly onto ungreased sheets if you prefer. Space them about 2 inches apart. Pop them into your preheated 375°F oven for about 7 to 8 minutes. The edges should be just turning a light golden brown—that’s your cue they’re done. Avoid overbaking, or you’ll lose that soft center. Once out, transfer to a cooling rack to avoid soggy bottoms and enjoy the smell filling your kitchen!

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Pro Tips for Making Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs aren’t cold to help the dough mix evenly and create a smooth texture.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies will look just set when they come out—trust me, they firm up as they cool, so pull them early to keep that perfect softness.
Parchment Paper Magic: While optional, I find that parchment paper makes cleanup easier and helps cookies bake evenly without sticking.
Scoop Uniformly: Using a cookie scoop helps your cookies bake evenly and look professional—plus, it’s a huge time saver!

How to Serve Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe

Amish Sugar Cookies, Amish Sugar Cookies recipe, soft Amish sugar cookies, classic sugar cookie recipe, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies - The image shows a close-up of several sugar cookies stacked on top of each other. Each cookie has a light golden color with a soft, slightly cracked surface, and a round, somewhat puffy shape. The cookies have a smooth, almost crumbly texture visible on the outside, and the edges show a gentle browning. The cookies are placed on a white marbled surface, filling the frame with no other items or background elements visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep these Amish sugar cookies simple and classic, but sometimes, I sprinkle a little colored sanding sugar on top before baking for a festive look, especially during holidays. A light dusting of powdered sugar after cooling also adds a lovely delicate finish—nothing too sweet, just that extra charm.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm drink. I recommend serving them alongside a steaming cup of coffee, chai tea, or rich hot chocolate—they complement each other so nicely. They’re also a lovely snack with a glass of cold milk for a nostalgic treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holidays, I like to plate these Amish sugar cookies in a neat stack tied with a rustic twine bow and a sprig of fresh rosemary or mint. It makes a beautiful edible gift or centerpiece. You can also sandwich two cookies with a smear of homemade jam or frosting for a little extra fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, lined with parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking. They stay soft and fresh for up to a week—that’s if they last that long around here!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully. I usually freeze the baked cookies in a sealed freezer bag, separated by parchment sheets to snag one or two on demand. When you thaw them at room temperature, they almost taste as fresh as the day you baked them.

Reheating

If you like your cookies a little warm (and who doesn’t?), pop one in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This revives that fresh-baked softness and invites you to enjoy that tender Amish sugar cookie goodness all over again.

FAQs

Can I use all butter instead of mixing butter and oil?

Yes, you can substitute all butter if you prefer, but keep in mind your cookies might come out slightly less moist and may spread differently. The vegetable oil helps maintain moisture and softness, so using all butter could result in a firmer texture.
Do I really need cream of tartar in the recipe?

Cream of tartar plays an important role in making the cookies tender and gives a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. It also works with baking soda to help cookies rise slightly without becoming cakey, so I recommend using it if you can.
Can I decorate these Amish Sugar Cookies?

Absolutely! These cookies make a great base for decorating with icing, sprinkles, or colored sugars. Just make sure the cookies are completely cooled before decorating to prevent icing from melting or sliding off.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Nope! One of the beauties of this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe is that you can bake the dough right away with no chilling necessary. However, if you want a slightly thicker cookie, chilling the dough for 30 minutes can help reduce spreading.
What baking sheets work best for these cookies?

I prefer using heavy-duty rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking. But you can bake directly on ungreased baking sheets if you don’t have parchment. Just keep an eye on the first batch to make sure they don’t stick or brown too quickly.

Final Thoughts

There’s something wonderfully comforting about baking and sharing a batch of Amish sugar cookies. For me, this recipe isn’t just about the magic of combining simple ingredients—it’s the memories of family gathered in the kitchen and the joy of warm cookies fresh from the oven. I hope when you make these, you feel that same happiness and warmth. You really can’t go wrong with this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe, so give it a try and watch it become a beloved go-to in your cookie rotation too!