Vanilla cookies are anything but boring.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Never underestimate the appeal of simple vanilla cookies.

They’re essentially a blank canvas for whatever you need.

Southern Living Vanilla Cookies on plates to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Like the flavor but want something a bit more crowd-friendly?

Try oursugar cookie bars.

Learn how to make vanilla cookies, and add them to your regular baking rotation.

Southern Living Vanilla Cookies ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ingredients for Vanilla Cookies

The ingredients for this vanilla cookie recipe are simple and classic.

Freeze cookie dough:Make, scoop, and freeze the cookie dough until hard.

Then, move the cookie dough balls to a freezer bag, and store up to 3 months.

Southern Living Vanilla Cookies lining the pan with parchment paper

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

you could also freeze baked cookies up to 3 months before you plan to serve.

They should be well wrapped in a freezer bag to maintain the best flavor.

Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Southern Living Vanilla Cookies whisking together the dry ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Frostings for Vanilla Cookies

Vanilla cookies are great on their own, buttery and sweet.

But if you want to add a frosting, feel free.

Likewise,vanilla buttercream frostingis used for decorating and can also be colored.

Southern Living Vanilla Cookies mixing the butter and sugar together

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Achocolate frostingis excellent, too.

Top any of these with sprinkles or sanding sugar for a sweet finish.

How To Store Vanilla Cookies

Keep vanilla cookies in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Southern Living Vanilla Cookies adding the vanilla extract

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

The cookies may become a bit more chewy as the days progress, but they’ll still be delicious.

Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Beat in vanilla, then beat in egg.

Southern Living Vanilla Cookies adding the flour

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Add flour mixture; beat at low speed until just combined.

Scoop cookies:

Scoop dough with a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop onto prepared pans, 10 per pan.

Bake cookies:

Place 2 pans in oven.

Southern Living Vanilla Cookies dough scooped onto the prepared pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Repeat with remaining dough.

Southern Living Vanilla Cookies baked on the pan

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Vanilla Cookies on the cooling rack baked and ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox