These easy eggless sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and scooped straight onto the baking tray, no rolling needed. The surprise ingredient is a splash of vinegar, which helps create a tender cookie without eggs.
Sugar cookies have always been on my to-bake list, especially around Christmas. I wanted a simple version without eggs that still felt just as fun to make and share. This recipe finally made that happen, and it quickly turned into a favorite at home.
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I first tried it on a day when my kids wanted to bake with me, and it turned out to be the perfect choice. The dough comes together easily, and scooping it onto the tray makes the whole process simple, even with little helpers around. Adding sprinkles on top made it even more exciting for them.
With egg prices going up, having a reliable eggless option like this is really helpful during the holidays. The secret to how these cookies work without eggs is a small splash of vinegar. It gives them a soft, tender texture that you wouldn’t expect.
If you’re baking for Christmas, it’s nice to have a few different cookies on the tray. You can pair these with my eggless thumbprint cookies for a classic jam-filled option, or try the Italian ricotta cookies for something soft and cake-like.
Why These Eggless Sugar Cookies?
This is one of those recipes you’ll keep coming back to, especially when you want something simple and reliable.
- A dependable option when you want to bake without eggs
- Made with simple pantry ingredients, nothing hard to find
- No special equipment needed, a handheld mixer works just fine
- No egg substitutes required, vinegar does the job beautifully
- Works with either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, with no noticeable taste
- Soft, light, and tender cookies every time
- Great for beginner bakers, the steps are easy to follow
- Easy to turn into variations like eggless snickerdoodles
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s a quick look at everything you’ll need. Below are a few notes on the key ingredients, and you’ll find the full list with measurements in the recipe card.
- Butter: Butter gives these cookies their rich flavor and soft texture. If you want a vegan version, a plant-based butter works well here.
- White vinegar: This is the key ingredient that makes these cookies work without eggs. It helps create a light, tender texture. Apple cider vinegar works just as well and doesn’t affect the taste or color.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a classic sweet flavor. You can switch it up with almond extract for a slightly nutty taste.
- All-purpose flour: Regular all-purpose flour gives the best results. You can try whole wheat pastry flour for a softer cookie. A gluten-free all-purpose blend should work too.
- Colored sugar: Use sprinkles or colored sugar for decoration. It adds a fun touch and works for any occasion.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. In a large bowl, add sugar and butter.
2. Cream them together until well-mixed.
3. Add white vinegar to the mix.
4. Add almond extract to the mix.
5. Cream them well until light and fluffy.
6. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt (if using).
7. Incorporate this into the creamed sugar mixture and mix well.
8. Final sugar cookie dough is ready!
9. Scoop out a tablespoon of dough for each cookie, roll it into a ball, and flatten into ¼ inch thickness; sprinkle with colored sugar and place 2 inches apart (See My Notes)
10. Bake in an oven preheated at 350F/180C in a greased pan for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
Expert Tips
Measure flour the right way: For the best texture, measure your flour carefully. Scooping flour directly from the container with a measuring cup can pack in more flour than needed, which can change the dough. Instead, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off.
The first time I made these cookies, the dough felt quite sticky and needed chilling for about 30 minutes. The next time, after measuring the flour this way, the dough came together just right and didn’t need any chilling. That small change made a noticeable difference in how the cookies turned out.
Test bake a few cookies first: Before baking the whole batch, try baking 2 to 3 cookies. This helps you see how much they spread, how well they hold their shape, and how long they need in your oven.
If something feels off, you can make small adjustments right away instead of baking the entire batch. It’s a simple step that can save both time and ingredients.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! To make vegan sugar cookies, simply substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative. Everything else in the recipe, including the vinegar, flour, and sugar, is already plant-based.
To make these cookies gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just make sure the flour blend includes a binder like xanthan gum or guar gum to help provide structure to the cookies. Or else you can try this eggless, gluten-free sugar cookie recipe too!
All-purpose flour is the best choice for this recipe as it provides the perfect texture. However, you can experiment with whole wheat pastry flour for a slightly heartier version. Keep in mind that using other types of flour might change the texture.
Yes! While white vinegar is the traditional choice, apple cider vinegar works just as well in this recipe. It will not affect the flavor or color of the cookies, and you’ll still achieve the light, tender texture.
If you don't have vanilla extract, almond extract can be used as a great alternative. It gives the cookies a lovely, nutty aroma. Just use it in small amounts to avoid overpowering the flavor.
Yes! Feel free to use any colored sugar or sprinkles of your choice. Festive, sparkling sugars add a fun and colorful touch to your cookies.
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you'd like them to last longer, you can freeze them for up to three months.
Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough! One method is to scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough, slightly flatten them, and place them on a baking sheet. Cover the sheet with plastic wrap and freeze for about an hour.
Once the dough is frozen, remove the individual dough portions and place them in freezer-proof bags, double-bagging them for extra protection. When you're ready to bake, you can bake the frozen dough directly from the freezer, though you may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Alternatively, you can freeze the entire dough. Simply shape the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. The dough can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator for a few hours, then scoop out portions and bake as usual.
Bonus Tip: Eggless Snickerdoodle Cookies!
Thanks to a wonderful reader’s suggestion, you can easily turn this eggless sugar cookie dough into eggless snickerdoodle cookies! Simply roll each dough ball in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, flatten it slightly, and bake for 8-10 minutes. In no time, you’ll have soft and delicious snickerdoodle cookies with a perfect cinnamon-sugar coating!
More Christmas Cookies
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Recipe
Easy Eggless Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon vinegar (white or apple cider)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla/almond extract (combination of both too)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt (optional)
- As needed colored sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vinegar and vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt (if using). Incorporate this into the creamed sugar mixture and mix well.
- Scoop out a tablespoon of dough for each cookie, roll it into a ball, and flatten into ¼ inch thickness; sprinkle with colored sugar and place 2-inches apart (See My Notes)
- Bake in an oven preheated at 350F/180C in a greased pan for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cookies cool down for 2-3 minutes before removing them from the pan. Store it in air-tight containers once it's cooled completely.
My Notes
- Dough consistency: If the dough feels sticky or the cookies spread too much, chill it for 30 minutes. Always test bake 2–3 cookies first and adjust if needed.
- Flour measurement: Spoon and level the flour for best results. Small changes here can affect the dough texture.
- Vinegar: You may notice a slight tang in the dough, but it won’t be there after baking. Both white and apple cider vinegar work well.
- Flavor options: Use vanilla, almond, or a mix of both. Skip almond if serving to anyone with nut allergies.
- Salt: Optional. If using salted butter, you can skip adding extra salt.
Taste & Texture
Nutrition
Sarah says
These cookies turned out so beautifully - I won’t be bothering with any other sugar cookie recipes! We didn’t decorate them with sugar or glaze and they were absolutely delicious as is. It was such a relief to have an eggless recipe for baking with children - no worries around them handling raw eggs. Thanks so much for posting!
Madhuram says
You're most welcome, Sarah. Thank you for giving this simple sugar cookie recipe a try and leaving your valuable feedback.
Linnie Scott says
Have you used this recipe to make cut sugar cookies?
Madhuram says
No, Linnie. I have not. It's a bit soft dough. Maybe if chilled it might work. Just a guess.
Ellen Kumpic says
Hi Linnie,
Did you try this and did it work? I am making cookies with my grandson and he likes to cut out shapes.
Thanks,
Ellen
Madhuram says
Hi Ellen, sorry I don't have an answer now. I'm hoping it would work if we chill the dough and roll it. The next time when I bake these cookies will try it and update.
Sumathi says
super cookies madam!
Madhuram says
Thank you for the feedback, Sumathi.
robert wappel says
I usually don't comment on the recipes I do (should be better) but these cookies are GREAT! I have a child with an egg allergy and I like to find things we can all enjoy. I used this dough to make a cookie house. Rolled it out pretty thin maybe 3/16" and baked it to deep golden and they hold shape well. the left over dough was rolled into a log and I cut them in 1/4" slabs.
Madhuram says
Wow! It's great to know that you were able to make a cookie house with this recipe, Robert. Thanks for the feedback. Now I can't wait to try it.
Liz says
I love this recipe. It's also versatile, I use it for making snickerdoodles, follow exactly to make the dough then simply roll in cinnamon sugar (instead of the colored sugar,) flatten slightly, and bake. So good!
Madhuram says
Oh, wow! That's cool, Liz! I never thought of that idea! Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Madhuram says
Hi Liz, thank you for your suggestion to bake these cookies as snickerdoodles. I too followed it and the result was awesome. I have updated the post to include that information and the photo too. Thank you once again for the amazing idea!
Max says
The cookies i made were only ok but given that they have no eggs it sorta makes sense
Lally says
Holy cow these cookies are delicious!! They taste just like my Nana used to make, the buttery flavor is totally yummy. I modified the recipe a bit - added 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch, extra vanilla extract and 1/8 teaspoon almond extract (my Nana's secret ingredient). I made them as slice and bake cookies. They are a little crumbly - so I'll probably slice them a little thicker next time, but I definitely will make again. Super delicious.
Madhuram says
Thank you so much for the detailed feedback and for sharing your Nana's secret too, Lally. Now I can't wait to try almond extract the next time I bake these cookies.
nat says
i loved these they turned out like any sugar cookie with eggs
Madhuram says
Thanks, Nat.
Kaela says
It's about time I left a review because I have made these many times and sent the recipe out several times to those who have asked for it 🙂 these are my go-to treats for my egg-allergic daughters and I bring them to many events! I make them with the colored sugar a lot but have also used jimmy sprinkles or cinnamon sugar to top them. They come together quickly, they look good, and most important of all they are delicious.
Madhuram says
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave your kind feedback, Kaela.
Inderani says
Has anyone used this recipe to make cut out cookies? My son is allergic to eggs and want to make Christmas cookies tonight with him. I like the egg free pancake recipe from this site, it is my go to pancake recipe that I have been using for years so I thought I would try the cookie recipe.
Jennifer says
Recipe needs salt but otherwise a goo egg free recipe
Rhonda says
I used this as the base for raisin filled cookies. It was perfect. Definitely let the dough rest in the fridge for 20 minutes or so. Rolled out beautifully. I, also, replaced half the sugar with confectioner's monks fruit. Yummy.
Madhuram says
Thank you for the feedback, Rhonda.
Rosanna says
just made these cookies. why is my dough so crumbly? I could hardly roll out the balls because it was fall apart..super dry mixture.
Kaela says
I have had this happen once or twice with the recipe and I suspected it was because I didn't whip the butter long enough
Betty says
I went hunting for an eggless recipe and gave this a shot. I am out of eggs, out of milk, and out of butter. I substituted the butter in this recipe for 1/2 cup shortening and 1/2 cup spreadable cream cheese. When I creamed the sugar it seemed too wet so I added 1/4 cup sugar making this recipe a whole cup of sugar. I was also out of vinegar so I substituted lemon juice for the vinegar. I added funfetti baking chips and put bee pollen on top for more of that sprinkles effect (I am also out of sprinkles). I might post somewhere as my Out of Everything Sugar Cookie Recipe because they turned out great!!!
Madhuram says
Wow! It's great to know that the cookies turned out great even after all these alterations. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Josephine says
What would you recommend for measurements for two big cookies ? I want to do a cookie cake that is the number 11 about 8inch. Thank you
Madhuram says
I'm unable to give you any concrete suggestions because I have not tried such a thing. Maybe you can make a batch of dough with the above measurements and see if you are able to get either 11 or 8 and make another batch if necessary.
Angela G says
This is a great recipe! I had to add an extra 1/2 cup of butter to my dough because it was dry and crumbly. This may be because I live at high altitude and low humidity. Other than that, they are perfect. I rolled mine in a cinnamon sugar mixture 🙂
Madhuram says
Thank you, Angela.