Sugar cookies cover more than just the classic roll-and-cut, they stretch into soft bakes, frosted bars, sprinkle-heavy drops, and seasonal spins that change with the add-ins. Some are crisp at the edge, others stay soft through the center, but all of them hold their shape and bring just enough sweetness to make them work with or without icing. You’ll find traditional builds alongside bold flavors like matcha, red velvet, lemon, and pumpkin spice, with options that mix in sprinkles, pecans, or even glaze for texture. A few bake flat for decorating, others puff slightly for a softer bite, but every recipe here can be scooped, shaped, or sliced depending on what you want. These are cookies built to share, freeze, or set out on trays, clean edges, full color, and the kind of texture that holds up without falling apart.

Sugar Cookie Recipe for Rolled and Cut-Out Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This dough rolls out smooth and bakes into crisp-edged cookies that hold their shape after cutting. It’s built for decorating but tastes right on its own. Chill before rolling for the best texture. A go-to recipe for sharp shapes and clean lines.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Recipe for Rolled and Cut-Out Cookies

How to Make Soft Funfetti Sugar Cookies

How to Make Soft Funfetti Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These bake up thick and soft with sprinkles mixed into the dough. The texture stays tender without spreading too much. Great with or without frosting. A colorful cookie that works for birthdays or trays.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Soft Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Strawberry Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Strawberry flavor mixes into the dough for a bright, sweet twist on the classic base. These bake soft and hold color through the center. Serve plain or with a light glaze. A strong one for spring or anytime fruit fits.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookie Bars. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

All the flavor of a sugar cookie, baked flat and cut into bars for easy stacking or packing. The top sets firm while the inside stays soft. Frost or leave them plain. Quick to make and easier to serve.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Bars

Halloween Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

Halloween cookies with sprinkles and pumpkins on a table.
Halloween Sprinkle Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

A soft-baked cookie filled with seasonal sprinkles and a hint of vanilla. The edges stay light while the middle holds color. Chill before baking for best shape. Swap sprinkles for any theme.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

Glazed Sugar Cookies

Glazed sugar Christmas cookies on a white plate.
Glazed Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Soft cookies topped with a simple glaze that sets into a thin, shiny finish. The cookie holds its shape but stays tender. Add food coloring or keep them plain. A clean look with no frosting needed.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Sugar Cookies

Disney Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Sprinkle Dip

Disney Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Sprinkle Dip. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

Bite-size sugar cookies served with a light cream cheese dip full of sprinkles. The cookies bake crisp but dip smooth. Serve chilled or room temp. Built more like a tray snack than a solo cookie.
Get the Recipe: Disney Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Sprinkle Dip

Lemon Sugar Cookies

A stack of three lemon sugar cookies with one cookie leaning against the stack, in front of jars of milk.
Lemon Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Lemon zest and juice folded into a soft dough that bakes into a chewy cookie with sharp flavor. Dust with sugar before baking for extra texture. Serve plain or with glaze. A bright option that cuts the sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Sugar Cookies

Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies

Fall colored sugar cookies on a white table.
Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Classic sugar cookie dough rolled and cut into leaf shapes, tinted with food coloring and lightly baked. The edges stay crisp and the color holds. Chill for sharp cuts. Made for fall trays or decor bakes.
Get the Recipe: Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Pumpkin spice baked into a soft sugar cookie base with cinnamon sugar dusted over top. These bake chewy with just a little spread. No frosting needed. Strong with coffee or cider.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

Pecan Sugar Cookies

Pecan Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

Chopped pecans mixed into the dough for a soft, buttery cookie with a little crunch. Bake until golden at the edge. No need for icing or glaze. It’s simple, sweet, and just nutty enough.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Sugar Cookies

Matcha Sugar Cookies

Matcha sugar cookies on a wooden board, surrounded by pink flowers and a small sieve with matcha powder.
Matcha Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

Green tea powder blends into the dough for a sugar cookie that bakes with color and a slight earthiness. The texture stays soft and smooth. Add glaze or dust with sugar. It’s a sharper, less-sweet spin.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Sugar Cookies

Rainbow Sugar Cookies

Rainbow Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Multiple colors rolled together in one dough for a swirl effect that cuts bold. The cookie bakes soft with crisp edges. Serve plain to show off the pattern. Great for kids or events.
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Sugar Cookies

Red Velvet Sugar Cookies

Three red velvet cookies with white frosting are stacked on a pink surface. Crumbled red velvet pieces are sprinkled on top.
Red Velvet Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Cocoa and red food coloring give these cookies a deep color and soft bite. Dust with sugar before baking or add a cream cheese glaze. Serve warm or cooled. A bold cookie that cuts well on a tray.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Sugar Cookies

Circus Animal Sugar Cookies

Circus Animal Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

Soft vanilla sugar cookies baked with crushed frosted animal cookies and sprinkles inside. The flavor stays sweet and nostalgic. Serve plain or glaze for extra shine. It’s colorful, fun, and full of crunch.
Get the Recipe: Circus Animal Sugar Cookies

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About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lucy! Iโ€™m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. Iโ€™ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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