Both sugar cookies and butter cookies are classic cookie recipes that are popular year-round. While they share some similarities, there are distinct differences between the two in terms of ingredients, texture, taste, and best uses.
Quick Answers
Here are the key differences between sugar cookies and butter cookies:
- Sugar cookies are made with lots of granulated white sugar, while butter cookies contain more butter than sugar.
- Butter cookies tend to be crisper and crumblier, while sugar cookies are softer and chewier.
- The buttery taste is more pronounced in butter cookies, while sugar cookies have a sweeter flavor.
- Sugar cookies are the better choice for decorating with frosting and rolling dough, while butter cookies hold their shape well for cut-out shapes.
Ingredients
The main ingredients that distinguish sugar cookies from butter cookies are the amounts of sugar and butter they contain:
- Sugar cookies have a higher proportion of granulated white sugar compared to butter. A basic recipe calls for 1 cup (200g) of butter and 2 cups (400g) of sugar.
- Butter cookies contain more butter than sugar. A standard recipe uses 2 cups (450g) of butter and only 1 cup (200g) of sugar.
So sugar cookies have twice as much sugar as butter, while butter cookies flip that ratio and have twice as much butter as sugar. The greater amount of butter is responsible for the distinctive texture and flavor of butter cookies.
In addition to having different proportions of butter and sugar, sugar cookies and butter cookies rely on a few other key ingredients:
- All-purpose flour – The base for both cookie doughs is all-purpose flour, usually 2-3 cups.
- Eggs – One or two eggs help bind the dough together and contribute to rising.
- Leavening agents – Baking powder and/or baking soda are used to give the cookies lift.
- Vanilla extract – A teaspoon or two of vanilla provides trademark flavor.
- Salt – A pinch of salt balances out sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
While the ingredients are generally the same, the different ratios of sugar and butter create cookies with distinct textures and flavors.
Texture
Sugar and butter each affect the texture of cookies in unique ways:
- Sugar helps retain moisture, so sugar cookies have a soft, chewy texture.
- Butter creates a crumbly, shortbread-like texture. Butter cookies are more brittle and crunchy.
The high proportion of sugar is what gives sugar cookies their signature soft, chewy quality. They hold their shape well when baking but have a tender bite. If overbaked, sugar cookies can become hard and cracker-like.
Butter cookies have a melt-in-your-mouth crumbly, crispy texture. Their higher fat content from extra butter makes them more delicate and prone to spreading. Underbaked butter cookies will be overly soft and fall apart easily.
Here’s a comparison of the textures:
| Texture | Sugar Cookies | Butter Cookies |
|---|---|---|
| Chewiness | Chewy | Not chewy |
| Crispness | Soft | Crisp |
| Crumb | Fine, even crumb | Crumbly |
| Shaping | Holds shape well | Spread easily |
Flavor
The different amounts of sugar and butter also affect the flavors of each cookie:
- Sugar cookies are sweeter with a hint of butteriness.
- Butter cookies have a more pronounced butter flavor with subtle sweetness.
Granulated white sugar has a neutral flavor that easily dissolves into batters. When cooked, the sugar contributes sweetness and a subtle caramel note. Butter has a rich, creamy dairy flavor that is detectable even in small amounts. It becomes nutty and toasted when baked.
With twice as much sugar as butter, sugar cookies allow the sweetness to take center stage with only a touch of butter richness. The flavors meld into a general cookie sweetness.
Butter cookies have twice as much butter as sugar, letting that buttery taste shine. The buttery flavor comes through much more than the sweetness, especially when high-quality butter is used. A hint of toffee comes through from the browned butter solids.
So while both cookies are sweet treats, sugar cookie fans will love the sweeter flavor, while butter cookie lovers will prefer the intense butteriness.
Variations
Both cookie recipes can be tweaked to create new flavors and variations:
- Sugar cookies – Mix in cinnamon, lemon zest, or vanilla for different flavors. Frost or decorate for celebrations.
- Butter cookies – Stir in ingredients like matcha, citrus zest, chocolates, nuts, seeds, or spices.
While the base recipe remains essentially the same, you can customize each type of cookie in many creative ways to suit your tastes.
Best Uses
When should you make each type of cookie?
- Sugar cookies are great for:
- Rolling and cutting into shapes
- Frosting and decorating with royal icing
- Eating as soft, sweet treats
- Butter cookies are ideal for:
- Cutting into shapes that hold their form
- Sandwiching with jams or ganache
- Enjoying with tea or coffee
The soft, pliable dough takes well to rolling for cut-out sugar cookies. And the chewy texture pairs nicely with frosting and icing for decorated cookies. Sugar cookies are best enjoyed soft right after baking.
Butter cookies hold their shape better when cut into shapes like shortbread before baking. Their crisp, buttery texture complements fillings like fruit preserves or chocolate. Butter cookies store well in airtight containers.
nutrition
Both butter cookies and sugar cookies are high in calories, fat, and carbs. However, sugar cookies tend to be higher in sugar, while butter cookies are higher in fat.
| Nutrition Facts | Sugar Cookies | Butter Cookies |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 100 per cookie | 80 per cookie |
| Fat | 5g | 4g |
| Carbs | 15g | 11g |
| Sugar | 8g | 5g |
As you can see, sugar cookies contain more sugar and carbs, while butter cookies are higher in fat and calories. Both should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Baking Tips
To achieve the ideal texture for each cookie type, follow these tips:
- Sugar cookies:
- Cream the butter and sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy
- Chill dough for at least 2 hours before baking
- Bake at lower temperature (325°F) until set but not browned
- Butter cookies:
- Soften (but don’t melt) the butter before creaming
- Work the dough as little as possible to prevent toughening
- Bake at slightly higher temperature (350°F) for browning
These tips will help you achieve the characteristic texture of each type of cookie. Sugar cookies should be soft in the center, while butter cookies should be crispy throughout.
Storing Cookies
Proper storage is important for keeping cookies fresh and preventing them from going stale. Here are some guidelines:
-
Sugar cookies:
- Store at room temperature up to 1 week
- Freeze cookie dough logs or baked cookies up to 3 months
-
Butter cookies:
- Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 1 month
- Freeze unbaked dough up to 3 months
- Can be frozen baked up to 6 months
The high butter content makes butter cookies stay fresh longer than sugar cookies. Sugar cookie dough logs freeze well for longer storage.
Conclusion
While sugar cookies and butter cookies are both classic cookie recipes, they produce very different results based on their ingredient ratios. Sugar cookies have more sugar for soft chewiness, while butter cookies use extra butter for crisp, crumbly texture. Sugar cookies make great decorated treats, while butter cookies pair well with coffee or tea.
The key is choosing the right cookie for your needs. When you want to roll, cut, and decorate cookies, reach for the sugar cookie recipe. For a recipe that holds its shape and gives you that melt-in-your-mouth butter flavor, the butter cookie is the better choice.
Now that you know the differences between these two beloved cookies, you can bake a batch of each and enjoy comparing their taste and texture for yourself!