If you’re on the hunt for a healthier version of the classic sugar cookie, this recipe has you covered. These whole wheat sugar cookies are just as delicious and versatile as the traditional version.

Made with wholesome ingredients, they’re the perfect balance of festive flavor and feel-good baking.

Whether you’re decorating them with the kids or serving them at your holiday gathering, these cookies are sure to be a hit. And the best part? They’re buttery, hold their shape while baking, and perfect for decorating.

Want to decorate these sugar cookies? Here’s a recipe for an Easy Royal Icing.

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Why you’ll love this whole wheat sugar cookie recipe

Healthier sweet treat: Made with whole wheat flour, these cookies are higher in fiber, giving you a more wholesome dessert option without compromising on taste or texture.

Perfect texture and sweetness: Despite being made with whole wheat, these cookies have that tender texture everyone loves, with just the right amount of sweetness.

Perfect for decorating: Whether you’re rolling them out into festive shapes or adding sprinkles and icing, this recipe is perfect for family baking sessions or creating beautiful cookie trays to share.

Sugar cookie ingredients and some notes

This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients to create cookies that do not spread and are perfect for decorating. Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and see why they work so well together:

Whole wheat flour – For the lightest colored cookies, use white whole wheat flour. Whole wheat flour gives these cookies a slightly nutty flavor and boosts their nutritional value with added fiber.
Coconut sugar – Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener with a subtle caramel flavor, adding depth to the cookies without making them overly sweet. It’s also a lower-glycemic alternative to regular sugar.
Butter – Butter adds richness and creates that classic soft, tender texture we all love in sugar cookies.
Sour cream – Keeps the cookies incredibly moist and tender. Its slight tang also balances the sweetness, creating a more complex flavor profile.
Vanilla – Enhances the overall flavor, adding warmth and a hint of sweetness that ties all the ingredients together.
Salt – A fraction of a teaspoon of salt might seem minor, but it’s essential for balancing the sweetness and elevating the other flavors.

These simple yet intentional ingredients come together to create sugar cookies that feel both indulgent and wholesome—a perfect recipe to share with your family!

How to make whole wheat sugar cookies

Making whole wheat sugar cookies is surprisingly simple, and the result is a delightful cookie with a nutty flavor and tender texture. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create these healthier, roll-out cookies that are perfect for decorating or enjoying as-is!

Prep the sugar. Start by grinding the coconut sugar into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or blender.
Cream the butter and sugar. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until the mixture is well combined. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Mix in other ingredients. Add the sour cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat in until fully combined and creamy.
Combine wet and dry. Gradually add the measured flour to the wet mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
Chill the dough. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling makes the dough easier to roll out and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Roll out the dough. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin, then roll out one disc of dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
Cut out shapes. Use cookie cutters to create your desired shapes. Arrange the cutouts on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
Bake the cookies. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them, as whole wheat cookies can brown quickly.
Cool and decorate. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or enjoy them plain!

With these steps, you’ll have a batch of wholesome, beautifully crafted whole wheat sugar cookies ready to share with your family and friends.

Baking tips

When baking whole wheat sugar cookies, a few simple tricks can help you make flavorful cookies that hold their shape beautifully. Here are my top tips to ensure your cookies turn out just right:

Use white whole wheat flour. For a milder flavor and smoother texture, opt for white whole wheat flour instead of regular whole wheat. It retains all the nutritional benefits but has a lighter taste, which is perfect for sugar cookies.
Don’t overmix the dough. Once you’ve combined the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can activate the gluten in the flour, leading to tough cookies.
Chill the dough. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes helps the cookies hold their shape during baking. It also makes the dough easier to roll out and cut into fun shapes.
Roll out evenly. Use rolling pin rings or guides to ensure your dough is rolled out evenly. This prevents some cookies from being over- or under-baked. Aim for about 1/4-inch thickness for perfectly tender cookies.
Keep an eye on bake time. Whole wheat flour can brown faster than all-purpose flour, so keep a close watch during baking. Pull the cookies out as soon as the edges are set and lightly golden to avoid overbaking.

How to store sugar cookies

You’ve put in the effort to bake and decorate a batch of beautiful sugar cookies—now it’s time to make sure they stay fresh and delicious! Proper storage will keep your cookies soft and flavorful for days to come, whether you’re enjoying them throughout the week or saving them for a special occasion. Here’s how to store your leftover cut-out sugar cookies like a pro.

Let Them Cool Completely. Before storing your cookies, ensure they’re fully cooled. Storing warm cookies can create moisture inside the container, making them soggy and ruining the texture.
Use an Airtight Container. An airtight container is your best friend for keeping cookies fresh. Lay your sugar cookies flat in a single layer, and if you need to stack them, separate each layer with a piece of parchment or wax paper. This prevents any decorated cookies from sticking together.
Keep at Room Temperature. For short-term storage (up to a week), keep your sugar cookies at room temperature in a cool, dry spot. Avoid storing them near heat sources or direct sunlight.
Freeze for Long-Term Storage. Want to save your cookies for later? Freeze them! Place cooled, undecorated cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Decorated cookies can also be frozen, but ensure the icing has fully hardened first. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature for a few hours.

With these simple storage tips, you can savor your sugar cookies long after baking day!

Final thoughts

Whole wheat sugar cookies are the perfect way to enjoy a classic treat with a wholesome twist. Whether you’re rolling them out for fun holiday shapes or keeping it simple with a sprinkle of sugar on top, these cookies deliver on flavor and texture.

I hope this recipe inspires you to get creative in the kitchen and share a batch of homemade cookies with the people you love most. Don’t forget to let me know how they turn out—I’d love to hear about your cookie adventures in the comments below!