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; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 4½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 11 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s buttery, tender, and just melts in your mouth, you’ve gotta try this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe. Honestly, these cookies have that perfect nostalgic vibe — soft, subtly sweet, and downright addictive. I remember first making them for a family gathering, and they disappeared faster than I could blink! Stick with me through this post, and I’ll share how I make these gems every time, plus some tips to help you get them just right.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture: The combo of butter and vegetable oil creates a soft, tender crumb that isn’t too greasy.
Balanced Sweetness: Using both granulated and powdered sugar gives the cookies a gentle sweetness with a slightly crisp edge.
Simple Ingredients: No fancy add-ins needed, just pantry staples that deliver big flavor and nostalgia.
Easy Prep: The dough doesn’t even need chilling, so you can mix, scoop, and bake in under 40 minutes.

Amish Sugar Cookies, Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe, soft sugar cookies, buttery sugar cookies, easy Amish cookie recipe - 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

Let’s talk about the magic behind each ingredient in this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe. They all play a starring role to create the classic, soft sugar cookie you’ll want to eat every day.

Amish Sugar Cookies, Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe, soft sugar cookies, buttery sugar cookies, easy Amish cookie recipe - 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 brings rich, creamy flavor and helps create that tender bite I love in these cookies.
Vegetable oil: Adding oil keeps the cookies extra moist and soft, balancing the butter so they’re not too dense.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and a bit of crunch on the edges for texture contrast.
Powdered sugar: Helps the cookies have that melt-in-your-mouth softness and prevents grainy texture.
Eggs: Bind everything together while giving the cookies structure.
Vanilla extract: Boosts flavor with comforting, warm notes you can smell as they bake.
All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie dough, providing enough structure without making cookies tough.
Baking soda: Gives just a touch of leavening to lighten the cookie texture.
Cream of tartar: A classic ingredient in sugar cookies helps with tenderness and that nice chew.

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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 really enjoy about this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you want to dial up the vanilla or toss in a handful of sprinkles, this cookie dough welcomes little tweaks beautifully.

Vanilla variation: Sometimes I add a splash of almond extract along with the vanilla — a little tweak that gives the cookies a lovely, nutty aroma that guests always ask about.
Texture twist: For a bit of crunch, sprinkle coarse sugar or colored sanding sugar on top before baking — it makes them look extra festive too!
Healthier swaps: If you want to lighten it up, you can substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but keep in mind the cookies will be a wee bit denser.
Seasonal spin: Around the holidays, I like to add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to warm things up.

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

Step 1: Bring Butter to Room Temp & Beat with Sugars

Make sure your butter is soft—not melted—for the best texture. I usually take mine out about 30 minutes before starting. Then, grab your mixer and beat together the butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This process helps incorporate air, which makes your cookies tender and delightful.

Step 2: Add Eggs & Vanilla, Mix Well

Next, crack in the eggs and pour in your vanilla extract. Beat the mixture for an extra 2 minutes while scraping down the sides to make sure everything’s combined smoothly. This step is crucial for even texture and flavor throughout the dough.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Mixing these dry components beforehand ensures the baking soda and cream of tartar are evenly distributed, preventing any odd lumps or uneven rising in your cookies.

Step 4: Slowly Add Dry Mix to Wet Ingredients

With your mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients a couple of spoonfuls at a time. Slow and steady wins the race here — it helps the flour absorb nicely without overmixing, which could make your cookies tough. Stop mixing once everything is evenly combined and you have a soft dough.

Step 5: Scoop & Bake

I love using a cookie scoop for this step — it makes the cookies uniform and helps with even baking. Drop these mounds of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet (or directly on the ungreased tray if you prefer). Bake at 375°F for 7 to 8 minutes, just until the bottoms are lightly golden. Keep a close eye near the end so they don’t overbake — the cookies will still feel soft and set up as they cool.

Step 6: Cool & Enjoy!

Transfer your fresh cookies to a cooling rack right away to avoid soggy bottoms. Once cooled, these guys are ready for dunking in milk or sharing with friends. Trust me, you’ll want to make a double batch!

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Pro Tips for Making Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe

Don’t Overmix: Mix just until combined once you add the flour—overmixing toughens your cookies.
Watch Your Oven: Oven temperatures vary; I recommend checking cookies at 7 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Use Parchment Paper: It makes cleanup effortless and prevents sticking without adjusting baking time.
Skip Dough Chilling: This dough doesn’t need chilling; you can bake as soon as it’s mixed and still get perfect cookies.

How to Serve Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe

Amish Sugar Cookies, Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe, soft sugar cookies, buttery sugar cookies, easy Amish cookie recipe - 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

Sometimes I keep it simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of colored sanding sugar before baking for a little extra sparkle. On special occasions, I like to gently frost them with a thin vanilla glaze or royal icing—nothing too heavy so the cookie’s softness shines through.

Side Dishes

These cookies are absolute perfection paired with a big mug of coffee or a cold glass of milk. They also go great alongside fresh fruit or even as a sweet finish to light tea sandwiches during a brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these Amish Sugar Cookies on a tiered stand with some fresh flowers and a few sprigs of greenery—it turns them into a centerpiece! Wrapping a few in parchment and tying with twine also makes a charming handmade gift for neighbors or coworkers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover Amish Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft for about 3-4 days, but honestly, mine rarely last that long! Layering them between sheets of parchment paper helps keep them from sticking together.

Freezing

If you want to keep them longer, freeze the baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container once frozen. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature for a few hours. I’ve found this method locks in that fresh-baked softness.

Reheating

To warm up a cookie, pop it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This little reheating trick brings back the fresh-out-of-the-oven softness that makes these cookies so addictive.

FAQs

Can I use all butter instead of oil in the Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe?

You can, but the texture will be a bit different. The oil contributes moisture and softness, so using all butter might make the cookies slightly firmer and less tender. If you prefer a buttery flavor, you could try swapping half the oil for butter and see how you like it!
Why does this Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe use both granulated and powdered sugar?

Combining granulated and powdered sugar balances texture and sweetness perfectly. Granulated sugar adds slight crunch and structure, while powdered sugar keeps the cookies soft and smooth—giving you the best of both worlds.
Do I really need cream of tartar in the recipe?

Cream of tartar helps with the cookie’s tender chew and a slight tang in flavor, classic to Amish sugar cookies. If you don’t have it, you can omit it but expect a slightly different texture and flavor.
Can I freeze the cookie dough instead of baked cookies?

Yes! You can scoop the dough onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a bag. When you want cookies, bake directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to baking time.

Final Thoughts

This Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe has quickly become one of my go-to comfort bakes because it’s so reliably delicious and simple. I love how approachable it is—and how it brings everyone to the kitchen for a sweet moment together. Once you try these, I bet you’ll reach for this recipe anytime you want a tender, classic sugar cookie that feels like home. So, grab your mixer and give it a shot—you won’t regret it!