The sugar cookie is a classic and such a crowd-pleaser. They’re a go-to in my house when we need a sweet treat to share, but when you’ve made hundreds of sugar cookies, there needs to be some sort of variation to keep it interesting.

Sugar cookies can be a work of art. I’m not an artist but I can make sugar cookies that taste good. Like a work of art, there is so much creativity that can be put into even the sugar cookie flavors. Here are variations to make ordinary sugar cookies extraordinary:

Sugar Cookie Inclusions and Flavors

  • Vanilla sugar cookies with red food color and cherry flavored frosting with sprinkles.
  • Sugar cookies with key lime flavored frosting with sprinkles and green food color.
  • Chocolate Sugar Cookies. I like chocolate. So my first choice for sugar cookie flavors is chocolate sugar cookies. A fudgy sugar cookie with dark, fudgy frosting is my perfect sugar cookie.
  • Cinnamon Chip Sugar Cookies. Depending on the size of your recipe, add 3/4 to one cup of cinnamon chips to add flavor to your sugar cookie dough. Add them at the end and don’t beat longer than necessary.
  • Chunky Monkey Sugar Cookies. Along with adding cinnamon chips to your sugar cookie dough, add in some banana flavor to the dough and frosting.
  • Raspberry, Strawberry, or Blueberry Sugar Cookies. Add blueberry, raspberry, or strawberry bits for splashes of color and a burst of flavor to your sugar cookies.
  • Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies. Depending on the size of your recipe, add 3/4 to one cup of chocolate chips to your dough. Add them at the end.
  • Cranberry Nut Sugar Cookies. Depending on the size of your recipe, add 3/4 cup finely chopped cranberries and 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts to the dough.
  • Butterscotch Sugar Cookies. Add a teaspoon of butterscotch flavor. Depending on the size of your recipe, add 3/4 to one cup of butterscotch chips to your dough. Add them at the end.
  • Spiced Sugar Cookies. Add a teaspoon of good quality cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ginger.
  • Zested Orange, Lemon, or Lime Sugar Cookies. Add a tablespoon of zest and a teaspoon of orange flavor, lemon flavor, or lime flavor to your cookies to give your sugar cookies a zesty flavor.

You can see that sugar cookies don’t have to be “plain vanilla.” In addition to what you see here, consider adding flavors to both your sugar cookie dough and your frosting. See how to make legendary sugar cookies with flavors here.

Sugar Cookie Forms

Besides adding inclusions and flavors, you can play with the form of your sugar cookies, too, to make them extraordinary. Try any of the ideas below:

  • Sandwich Sugar Cookies. Use whatever flavor sugar cookie for your base cookies and put icing, whipped cream, or ice cream in the middle for a delightful treat.
  • Cutout Sugar Cookies. Though probably your most basic form for sugar cookies, you can make them into so many fun shapes with cookie cutters.
  • Filled Cutout Sugar Cookies. These are probably the prettiest sugar cookies you’ll find. Cut out matching shapes, cut a hole into half of them, fill them with jam, and piece them together.
  • Nest Sugar Cookies. Make your cookies into nests with shredded coconut and candy eggs. See what else you can make with your cookie decorations.

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