Whole-Wheat Sugar Cookie Recipe

By Laura Fuentes Updated Nov 7, 2024

5 from 110 votes

Recipe

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These whole-wheat sugar cookies are easy to make, have real and wholesome ingredients and can be rolled out and cut into shapes for any occasion.

You’ve found the whole wheat sugar cookie that tastes scrumptious AND can easily be cut into perfect shapes.

Whether it’s a special occasion or you want to enjoy a delicious cookie made with whole wheat flour without a dense/hockey puck texture, this recipe guarantees lots of smiles.

round sugar cookies frosted and topped with sprinkles on a cooling rack

Roll-Out Sugar Cookies with Whole Wheat Flour

The perfect whole-wheat sugar cookie (aka this one) should have a chewy texture with a buttery and not-to-sweet flavor. It should be soft enough to easily bite in and sturdy enough to handle being decorated without breaking or crumbling everywhere.

While this recipe can be made with traditional whole-wheat flour, whole-wheat pastry flour is a game-changer. It gives cookies, pie crusts, bread, and other baked goods a delicate texture that tastes like a pro baked it and a little less dense than traditional whole-wheat.

whole wheat sugar cookies on a cooling rack next to a large bowl of frosting

Ingredients

Let’s take a trip to the pantry and grab the following items to make these sugar cookies:

Whole wheat pastry flour: pastry flour has a finer texture. If you don’t have any, traditional whole wheat flour will work.
All-purpose flour: using only whole wheat flour will make the cookies too dense; regular all-purpose flour is necessary for them to be soft and chewy.
Salt: enhances the flavor and leavening.
Baking soda: helps the cookie dough rise while baking and provides texture.
Unsalted butter: make sure it’s at room temperature. If using salted, omit the added salt.
Granulated sugar: for sweetness.
Egg white: binds the cookie dough and makes a stiff icing.
Vanilla extract: belongs in sugar cookies.
Almond extract: optional and tastes incredible combined with vanilla extract.
Powdered sugar: for the icing.
Lemon juice: brightens the icing flavor, so it’s not overly sweet.

You’ll find the ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to Make Whole Wheat Sugar Cookies

Follow the step-by-step directions below, and you’ll have perfect sugar cookies ready to frost and eat!

Sift the dry ingredients
Combine the flours, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl; make sure to use the scoop-to-fill method and measure the flour correctly.
Combine the wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until it’s fluffy. Add the egg white, vanilla, and almond extract, and mix until combined.
Chill
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.
Remove the cookie dough from the fridge and preheat the oven to 325F.
Roll out
Roll the dough to a ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes and transfer them to a lined baking sheet.
Bake
Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, remove them from the oven, and let them cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the baking sheet.
Mix the icing
While the cookies cool, whisk the powdered sugar, egg whites, and lemon juice in a large bowl until smooth- the consistency should be a glaze.
Frost and enjoy
Ice the cookies with a small spatula or piping bag and decorate as desired.

All that’s left is to grab a glass of milk or cup of coffee and treat yourself!

Love it when you can watch how to make a recipe before attempting it yourself? Me too! Watch how it’s made in this short video:

Whole Wheat Sugar Cookie Tips

Making these whole-wheat sugar cookies is similar to making traditional sugar cookies. Here are some tips for the best results!

Room temperature butter and eggs
Are much easier to work into cookie dough without overworking the gluten.

adding sprinkles to frosted whole wheat sugar cookies

Don’t skip the chilling
Cold dough rolls out without sticking to the rolling pin and will retain its shape in the oven.

Storage
If there are any leftover cookies, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Make Ahead
Prepare and refrigerate the dough for up to 5 days or freeze-wrapped in a freezer-safe container for up to 30 days.

woman holding a mug of cocoa dipping a sugar cookie

Now you just need to make yourself a mug of homemade hot cocoa, and you’ll be ready to enjoy your cookies!