Soft Amish Sugar Cookies – Tender, buttery, old-fashioned cookies that melt in your mouth

Soft Amish Sugar Cookies – Tender, buttery, old-fashioned cookies that melt in your mouth

Soft Amish Sugar Cookies are the definition of simple, timeless baking — tender, buttery, lightly sweet, and delicately crisp on the edges with soft, melt-in-your-mouth centers. These cookies have been cherished for generations because they require no rolling, no chilling, and no fuss. Their old-fashioned flavor comes from humble ingredients, but the result is pure cookie perfection. Perfect for holidays, gifting, or everyday baking, Amish Sugar Cookies pair beautifully with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk. Soft, comforting, and impossibly easy — they’re a classic for a reason.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Servings: 40 Cookies

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Traditional Amish Cookie Dough

1 cup unsalted butter softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
½ teaspoon salt

Optional Toppings

Sanding sugar
Sprinkles
Cinnamon sugar
Glaze powdered sugar + milk + vanilla

Equipment

Mixing bowls
Hand mixer or stand mixer
Rubber spatula
Baking sheets
Parchment paper
Cookie scoop
Cooling rack

Method

Step 1: Cream the butter, sugars & oil

In a large mixing bowl, beat together:
Softened butter
Granulated sugar
Powdered sugar
Mix 2–3 minutes until creamy.
Add oil and beat again until smooth and light.

Step 2: Add eggs & vanilla

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
Stir in vanilla.

Step 3: Mix the dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
Flour
Baking soda
Cream of tartar
Salt
Add dry mixture to wet ingredients and mix just until soft dough forms.

Step 4: Scoop & bake

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line baking sheets with parchment.
Scoop dough into 1–1½ tablespoon balls and place 2 inches apart.
Optional: Sprinkle tops with sugar for sparkle.
Bake 8–10 minutes until edges are just set and bottoms lightly golden.
Do NOT overbake — soft centers are key.

Step 5: Cool

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.

Freeze dough balls for up to 3 months and bake directly from frozen with +1 minute bake time.

🥄 Variations

Lemon Amish Sugar Cookies
Add lemon zest + replace vanilla with lemon extract.

Almond Bakery Style
Replace 1 teaspoon vanilla with almond extract.

Cinnamon Sugar Amish Cookies
Roll tops in cinnamon sugar before baking.

Frosted Sugar Cookies
Top with vanilla glaze or buttercream once cooled.

Holiday Sprinkle Cookies
Add festive sprinkles into the dough or on top.

❓ 10 FAQs

Why do Amish Sugar Cookies use both butter and oil?
Butter adds flavor; oil creates the ultra-soft texture.

Do I need to chill the dough?
No — the dough is ready to bake immediately.

Can I make them smaller or larger?
Yes — adjust bake time accordingly.

Can I make them gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

What’s the purpose of cream of tartar?
It gives the cookies their signature softness.

Can I decorate them?
Absolutely — sprinkles, glaze, or frosting all work.

Why are my cookies too flat?
Dough may be too warm; add 1–2 tablespoons flour.

Why are they crumbly?
Too much flour — be sure to spoon and level.

Can I freeze these?
Yes — they freeze beautifully baked or unbaked.

Can I use brown sugar?
No — it changes the classic soft, light texture.

🏁 Conclusion

Soft Amish Sugar Cookies are everything a classic cookie should be: tender, buttery, simple, and absolutely irresistible. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and old-fashioned charm, they’re perfect for holidays, gifting, or everyday baking. Easy, comforting, and wonderfully nostalgic, these cookies are a timeless treat you’ll return to again and again.