How to make homemade sugar cookies without baking powder

  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 1 hr 35 min (includes cooling time)
  • Active: 25 min
  • Yield: about 30 cookies
  • Nutrition Info Nutritional AnalysisPer ServingServing Size1 of 14 servings Calories286 Total Fat14 gSaturated Fat8 gCarbohydrates39 gDietary Fiber1 gSugar22 gProtein3 gCholesterol48 mgSodium104 mg

This version of the sugar cookie has a slightly crispy edge and a super chewy center--thanks to increasing the sugar and baking at a higher temperature. Roll the cookies in colored sugar instead of granulated for a sparkly upgrade.

  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 1 hr 35 min (includes cooling time)
  • Active: 25 min
  • Yield: about 30 cookies
  • Nutrition Info Nutritional AnalysisPer ServingServing Size1 of 14 servings Calories286 Total Fat14 gSaturated Fat8 gCarbohydrates39 gDietary Fiber1 gSugar22 gProtein3 gCholesterol48 mgSodium104 mg

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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon fine salt

1 1/2 cups sugar, plus more for rolling

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

  1. Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.
  3. Beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the vanilla and egg and beat to incorporate. Add the flour mixture in 2 batches and beat on medium-low speed until incorporated.
  4. Put some sugar in a small bowl. Scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of the batter, roll them into balls and coat in the sugar. Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. (There will be additional batter for a second batch.)
  5. Bake until the bottoms and edges are barely golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. When the baking sheets are cool, repeat with the remaining batter. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off the excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)

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If you love sugar cookies, but you can’t find baking soda in the store, don’t worry. You don’t need baking soda to make a batch of sugar cookies. With just a little patience and some buttery dough, you can whip up some delicious sugar cookies at home. Keep reading to learn how to make sugar cookies without baking soda powder.

How to make homemade sugar cookies without baking powder

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Jump to Recipe

  • Can I Make Sugar Cookies Without Baking Soda Or Powder?
  • How To Prevent Cookies From Spreading Apart
  • No Baking Soda Cookies Ingredients
  • Sugar Cookies Without Baking Soda Or Powder
  • The Bottom Line
  • FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Sugar Cookies Without Baking Soda Or Powder?

Baking soda is an important leavener, which helps your cookies rise. Without it, your cookies won’t rise up and will be flat and dense. However, you can easily cook sugar cookies without baking soda or baking powder. Below you can find the list of ingredients and directions about how to make these cookies with no fuss.

Related: Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Vanilla
Related: Peanut Butter Cookies Without Brown Sugar

How To Prevent Cookies From Spreading Apart

If you are thinking about how to make no baking soda cookies, another important point is how to prevent your cookies from spreading apart. If you are using baking powder because it contains baking soda. Baking powder has several components, including sodium bicarbonate and an acidifying agent the former helps cookies rise up, and the latter prevents them from rising too much.

If you are using only flour, sugar, butter, and eggs for your sugar cookies without baking soda, mixing a little bit of salt into the dough will also cause your cookies to rise nicely.

No Baking Soda Cookies Ingredients

If you are wondering how to make sugar cookies without baking soda, here is a list of ingredients that you should follow.

  • All-purpose flour
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt

How to make homemade sugar cookies without baking powder

Sugar Cookies Without Baking Soda Or Powder

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

  • 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup butter room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 small egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

  • In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.

  • Add egg and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

  • Add flour and salt. Stir until the dough comes together.

  • Cover the dough with a plastic foil and refrigerate for 1 hour.

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

  • Roll out the dough and cut out using a cookie cutter. I use a 2-inch cookie cutter.

  • Arrange the cookies on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

  • Bake the cookies for 8-12 minutes.

  • Cool the cookies on a wire rack before serving.

Related: Sugar Cookies Without Butter
Related: Oatmeal Cookies Without Brown Sugar

The Bottom Line

If you are a cooking enthusiast and looking for a simple recipe with basic ingredients, this is it. Follow the directions and bake your sweet, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies in no time. Don’t forget to share your cooking experience in the comments below.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens If You Make Cookies Without Baking Soda?

Cookies without baking soda are slightly denser than the traditional variety, which means they’re better for serving with ice cream or milk. They don’t spread apart as much, either – so if you’re looking to make a batch of cookies without baking powder, this is the recipe for you!

What Can I Use Instead Of Baking Soda In Cookies?

Yes, you can make sugar cookies without baking soda. There are a few things that you can use instead of baking soda in order to take the place of the chemical leavening agent. The most common replacement for baking soda is cream of tartar, and beating egg whites (whites only) will also work.

Does Baking Soda Make Cookies Crispy?

The answer is yes. Baking soda gives the cookies a light, crisp, and fluffy crumb. But you can easily make your sugar cookies without baking soda or powder, and these cookies will definitely be worth it.

What happens if you make cookies without baking powder?

If you leave baking powder out of your cookies, your cookies will be edible, but they'll be denser and won't rise or puff because they won't have the chemical reactions necessary to do that.

What can I substitute for baking powder in sugar cookies?

Substitute each teaspoon (5 grams) of baking powder in the recipe with 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) vinegar. Summary: Each teaspoon (5 grams) of baking powder can be replaced with a 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda and a 1/2 teaspoon vinegar.

Can I skip baking powder in cookies?

It is possible to make cookies without baking soda or baking powder, but the resulting cookie will be dense. This is because carbon dioxide is not being produced by a chemical reaction that typically occurs when baking soda or powder is present in the cookie batter.

What does baking powder do in sugar cookies?

Baking powder is a two-in-one chemical leavening that combines a powdered alkali (sodium bicarbonate) with a powdered acid (originally, tartaric acid). When moistened in a dough or batter, a chemical reaction takes place that produces carbon dioxide gas, inflating cookies, cakes, and pancakes.