Don’t let the simplicity of the ingredients fool you, these Amish Sugar Cookies are one of the most flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth cookies you will ever have! So good you will want to double the recipe next time! I often make this recipe as well as my award-winning cutout Sugar Cookie Recipe during the holidays!
Amish Sugar Cookie
So you may be wondering, why do I call these “Amish”? This specific Amish sugar cookie recipe originally came from an Amish cookbook, so that is where it gets its name. Versions of the sugar cookie have been around since the 1700’s and are said to have originated in Pennsylvania.
Tips, Tricks, and Variations for Sugar Cookies:
The Amish don’t use electricity, why does this recipe have a stand mixer? Simply put, I love the consistency and ease of utilizing my stand mixer. You can absolutely make these sugar cookies by hand, it will just require a bit of elbow grease.
Can This Recipe be Halved?
Absolutely! It is very easy to make a smaller batch.
Can Sugar Cookies be Frozen Before Baking?
Yes! This recipe works beautifully from frozen. Simply prepare the recipe as directed, scoop out the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, (they can be placed close together) then freeze for about an hour. After an hour, remove from the freezer and place all of the solid sugar cookie dough balls into an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. (remove as much air as possible) Label the bag with the date and pop it into the freezer. (If you freeze cookies often you may also want to label the bag with the name of the recipe and cooking instructions.) You can bake these cookies directly from the freezer, just be sure to add 1-3 minutes to the baking time.
Can Sugar Cookies be Frozen After Baking?
Yes. Just make sure the cookies are cooled, then place them in an airtight container in single layers. (I like to use wax paper between each layer) I have stored them for a few months in the freezer and while they are still good, I prefer this cookie fresh or freezing before baking.
Can These Cookies be Frosted?
Oh, my word YES. I absolutely adore them with Cherry Buttercream. It reminds me of a Swig Cookie! You can also use vanilla, buttermilk frosting, chocolate, or any frosting that you prefer. My hubby likes them with strawberry preserves on top!
Can This Recipe Make Flat Cookies?
Sure! Press the cookies flat with a kitchen glass. (about 1/2 inch thick) This creates a tender, yet crisp sugar cookie! (Or follow the directions for these”dirty chocolate cookies” and press the glass in sugar first!)
Amish Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups (576 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) salted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (224g or 8 ounces) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (125g) confectioners sugar
- 2 (3.50 ounces – 4.0 ounces) large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 375°F and line a few baking sheets with parchment paper. (I bake them at 350°F in a convection oven)
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, oil, and sugars on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, scraping the sides as necessary.
- Reduce speed to medium and add the eggs, one at a time, mixing just until combined.
- Add the vanilla and mix until combined.
- Reduce speed to low and add the flour in three additions, scraping down the sides as necessary.
- Using a scoop that holds 2 tablespoons of dough, drop batter onto the baking sheet, spacing at least an inch apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges begin to darken.
- Let cool on baking sheet.
Video
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Can I use this recipe for cut out cookies and if so will it dry it out when I roll the dough with flour and can I try and use fresh lemon or orange
I don’t recommend this for cutout cookies. This one is better: https://iambaker.net/christmas-cookies/
Do you have a cream cheese frosting recipe for sugar cookies?
I love your iambaker.net site very much but I just learned about your iamhomesteader.com, I am very interested in joining the email list. Unfortunately every time I try to link up through the site I get an error message. Is there something wrong with the site? I would love to get emails from it. The recipes look great.
I will get it up ASAP, promise!
I won a blue ribbon with these cookies years ago, had made the very same ones for about 25 years now and no better sugar cookie out there.
So I followed the recipe to a T and my cookies spread out flat during baking. Should I have refrigerated the dough after mixing prior to baking? Other than that they were good.
Love this recipe I add a teaspoon of almond extract. My grand daughters love to make these and dip them in sprinkles and flatten with the bottom of a glass !
delish and quick thx
Absolutely delicious!!!
I add a cup of chocolate chip to 1/2 of the recipe and 1/2 peanut butter chips to the other half and they seemed to come out dryer. What could I do to not taste so dry?
Hi, Jean! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. I am sorry the cookies were dry. I have not tried adding chocolate chips or peanut butter chips to the recipe, but I would recommend a shorter baking time next time. I hope this helps. Have a great day!
These were really delicious. I wanted to make them but didn’t have any cream of tartar so I googled substitutions for cream of tartar and learned what that does in a recipe (provides acid). I learned you can substitute TWO teaspoons lemon juice or TWO teaspoons white vinegar for 1 teaspoon cream of tartar. I used the white vinegar. The cookies are absolutely delicious. Mine have a little bit more of a lightly browned edge, by choice, because we like them that way. I highly recommend this recipe. It’s so nice to have a good cookie recipe on hand that doesn’t require a run to the store because these are very basic ingredients (since I now know I can use vinegar in place of the cream of tartar). Thank you for a 5-star recipe that is destined to become a family favorite.