Soft Sugar Cookies (Easy Green Sugar Cookie Recipe)

Soft and chewy green sugar cookies made with simple ingredients. An easy cookie recipe perfect for holidays, parties, or St. Patrick’s Day baking.

Soft Sugar Cookies (Easy Green Sugar Cookie Recipe)

Think sugar cookies are just boring cutouts? Think again. These soft and chewy green sugar cookies recipe are tender, festive, and impossible to resist.

With a touch of sugar crunch, a pop of color, and zero complicated steps, they’re the perfect St. Patrick’s Day sugar cookie recipe.. or any day you need a batch of cookies that’ll make everyone smile. Chill the dough, roll them in sugar, bake, and watch the magic happen. Bonus: beginners, rejoice.. if you are looking for a really good sugar cookie recipe, these cookies practically bake themselves!

Feeling festive? Don’t stop at cookies! Check out more St. Patrick’s Day desserts that are easy, colorful, and guaranteed to make your holiday extra sweet like my Baileys St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes, St. Patrick’s Day Baileys Cheesecake Bars, Lucky Charms Marshmallow Treats and my favorite Mint Chocolate Cheesecake!

Green Cookie Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups sugar + 1/2 cup for rolling

• 1 cup butter

• 3 egg yolks

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• Green gel food coloring

How Do You Make Soft Sugar Cookie Instructions

• • • • Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. This helps your green holiday cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly soft.

      • Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1 1/4 cups sugar and butter until light and fluffy. This step creates the ideal base for tender St. Patrick’s Day cookies.

      • Add egg yolks: Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This ensures your festive cookies are thick and chewy.

      • Mix in vanilla: Stir in vanilla extract until evenly combined. This enhances flavor for an easy, beginner-friendly holiday treat.

      • Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Gradually fold into the butter mixture. The dough may look dry at first, but keep folding.. it will come together into soft, tender St. Patrick’s Day treats.

      • Add color: Stir in green gel food coloring until fully blended. Adjust the amount to create bright green cookies perfect for your holiday dessert spread.

      • Chill dough: Refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes. Chilling helps your baked treats hold their shape while keeping them thick, soft, and chewy.

      • Roll in sugar: Pour the remaining 1/2 cup sugar into a bowl. Scoop 1.5-inch balls of dough and roll them in sugar to coat. This adds sparkle and texture for your homemade cookies.

      • Place on cookie sheet: Arrange the dough balls on your prepared sheet, leaving space between each. Do not flatten.. they’ll spread naturally.

      • Bake: Bake for 12–13 minutes, until the cookies are set but still soft in the center.

      • Cool: Let cookies sit on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm, or store in an airtight container for easy holiday desserts later.

Texture & Technique

• Crumb: soft, tender, slightly chewy

• Coating: subtle sugar crunch

• Shape: thick and plump thanks to chilling

• Tip: Use a serrated knife or offset spatula to transfer cookies if needed .. they are delicate fresh from the oven.

Tips No One Tells You

• Chill dough: Keeps cookies thick and soft. Don’t skip!

• Gel coloring: Stronger than liquid and bakes more vibrant.

• Rolling sugar optional: Adds sparkle and crunch but cookies are great without it.

• Add dry slowly: Folding dry ingredients gradually prevents tough cookies.

• Room-temp butter: Smooth creaming = perfect texture.

• Spacing: Leave room; cookies puff slightly.

• Vibrant: When using food coloring, always go a bit darker than you actually want.  The color will lighten a bit as the soft sugar cookies will bake
• Jelly Roll: (not the singer) … If you don’t already have a ‘jelly roll’ pan, consider investing in one.  They are not too expensive (I think mine were $14.99 each) and since they are larger than the standard baking sheet, you can bake twice the amount of cookies in the same amount of time.  Serious game changer come holiday season!!!

Storage

• Room temp: Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Freeze: Dough balls freeze up to 1 month; bake straight from the freezer, adding 1–2 minutes to baking time.

• Tip: Cookies taste best slightly warm, fresh from the oven or lightly toasted.

Variations & Substitutions

• Color swaps: Red, blue, or yellow for different holidays or birthday themes.

• Sugar coating: Try colored sanding sugar for extra sparkle.

• Flavor twist: 1/2 tsp almond extract adds a subtle, nutty note.

FAQ 

Q: Can I make these cookies without chilling the dough?
A: You can, but cookies will spread more and be flatter. Chilling keeps them soft and thick.

Q: Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
A: Yes, but the color may be lighter and less vibrant. Gel gives the best St. Patrick’s Day green.

Q: How do I make cookies stay soft?
A: Don’t overbake, chill the dough, and store in an airtight container. The butter-sugar balance helps.

Q: Can I freeze the baked cookies?
A: Yes! Wrap tightly or place in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature.

Final Thoughts

Soft, chewy, and packed with festive green goodness, these sugar cookies are exactly the kind of treat that makes your kitchen smell like magic. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, a fun baking session with the kids, or just because you deserve a little sweet indulgence.

They’re beginner-friendly, insanely tasty, and versatile.. swap the green for any color and suddenly it’s a party for any occasion. Grab a glass of milk, your favorite cookie sheet, and get baking-these won’t last long!

Xoxo,
Heather 💋

Soft & Chewy Green Sugar Cookies

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These soft & chewy green sugar cookies are tender, festive, and easy to make. Chill the dough, roll in sugar, and bake for the perfect St. Patrick’s Day treat.

Heather

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 13 minutes minutes

Total Time 43 minutes minutes

Serving Size 48 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cup sugar + 1/2 cup for rolling
• 1 cup butter
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 ½ cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Green Gel Food Coloring

Instructions

• Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
• Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1 1/4 cups sugar and butter until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a tender, soft cookie.
• Add egg yolks: Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This creates a smooth, cohesive dough.
• Mix in vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract until evenly distributed. This really boosts the flavor.
• Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cream of tartar. Gradually fold them into the butter-sugar mixture. The dough may look dry at first, but keep folding—it will come together beautifully.
• Add color: Stir in green gel food coloring until the dough is a uniform, festive green. Adjust the amount for your preferred shade.
• Chill dough: Refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes. This step helps the cookies hold their shape and stay soft and thick while baking.
• Roll in sugar: Pour the remaining 1/2 cup sugar into a bowl. Scoop 1.5-inch balls of dough and roll them in the sugar to coat completely. This adds sparkle and a slight crunch.
• Place on cookie sheet: Arrange the dough balls on your prepared cookie sheet, leaving space between them. Do not flatten—the cookies will spread naturally.
• Bake: Bake for 12–13 minutes, until cookies look set but still soft in the center.
• Cool: Let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or store in an airtight container.

Notes

Tips No One Tells You

• Chill dough: Keeps cookies thick and soft. Don’t skip!
• Gel coloring: Stronger than liquid and bakes more vibrant.
• Rolling sugar optional: Adds sparkle and crunch but cookies are great without it.
• Add dry slowly: Folding dry ingredients gradually prevents tough cookies.
• Room-temp butter: Smooth creaming = perfect texture.
• Spacing: Leave room; cookies puff slightly.
• Vibrant: When using food coloring, always go a bit darker than you actually want.  The color will lighten a bit as the soft sugar cookies will bake
• Jelly Roll: (not the singer) ... If you don't already have a 'jelly roll' pan, consider investing in one.  They are not too expensive (I think mine were $14.99 each) and since they are larger than the standard baking sheet, you can bake twice the amount of cookies in the same amount of time.  Serious game changer come holiday season!!!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.34g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 0.04g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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Update Notes: This post was originally published in February of 2018 but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and tips in March of 2026.