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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.

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.

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.

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.

Now you just need to make yourself a mug of homemade hot cocoa, and you’ll be ready to enjoy your cookies!
Whole-Wheat Sugar Cookie Recipe

Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup Whole-Wheat Pastry Flour
- ½ cup Unbleached All-purpose Flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 4 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg white
- 1 ¼ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract
Icing:
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted
- 2 large egg whites
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk flours, salt, and baking soda.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the egg white, vanilla, and almond extract, beat until combined.
- To the butter mixture, add flour mixture, and mix until incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and chill for at least 4 hours.
- Once dough is ready, preheat oven to 325°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Lightly dust a work surface with all-purpose flour and place chilled dough directly onto the work surface. Roll dough out to a ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes in dough, and gently transfer them to baking sheets. Re-roll dough scraps into new large pieces of dough.
- Bake cookies for 12 minutes or until the edges look golden but not browned. Remove cookies from oven, and cool for 5 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the icing, whisk together all the icing ingredients in a large bowl until completely smooth. Mixture should have consistency of a glaze. If you want a thicker glaze, add a little more sugar and any food coloring you like.
- Ice cookies by icing the edges first and then filling it in. Let icing harden before serving. Cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate dough for up to 5 days and freeze dough up to 30 days.
Dee says
I just made these cookies used coconut oil instead of butter an unsweetened applesauce instead of egg, raw sugar instead of granulated. Wow! thanks for this wholewheat flour cookies.
Sarah says
I love the nice compromise between whole wheat pastry flour and a little white. Too many other recipes are 100% one or the other. These are also a nice medium sweetness level.
I think I rolled mine a little too thin, so they were crispier than I wanted. But I have a feeling they’d be perfect if I do 1/4-1/2″ next time.
And now I know to literally roll them straight from the fridge! I let my first dough ball warm a little on the counter first, and those were nearly impossible to handle. Next batch straight from the fridge was perfect.
Donna says
My kiddos are going to love this whole wheat sugar cookie recipe! Love that its a healthier version of traditional cookies!
Tonya Shultz says
Made these last night, they were amazing! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Rachel says
I have to give these whole wheat sugar cookies a try! They look so good!
Linda says
Yummy! These look so good!
Karen says
Made these last night and they were amazing!! Thanks for sharing this whole wheat sugar cookie recipe.
Phyllis says
Yummy! Looking forward to giving these whole wheat sugar cookies a try.
Laura Fuentes says
Hi Phyllis! You are our gift card winner!
Phyllis says
Yay!!!
Guess I can’t say “I never win anything” anymore. This is great News 😀
Laura Fuentes says
Congratulations!
Tammy R says
I love using whole wheat pastry flour! Cookies and quick breads taste wonderful!
Betsy C says
These whole wheat sugar cookies look so good!!
Rachel says
OMG! Need to try these asap, they look amazing! Love that they are whole wheat.
Rebecca says
Yum! I love a good sugar cookie recipe, saving this!
Barbara says
Whole wheat cookies are a staple in this household! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Tricia says
I have only used the whole wheat flour but am going to try this cookie recipe with the whole wheat pastry flour, it sounds really yummy, looking for a healthier Christmas cookie to try.
Lisa says
Is there a way to see the printed recipe? I didn’t see it in this post.
Laura Fuentes says
Hi Lisa! Thanks for catching that. With our web update, the recipe did not carry over. Hit refresh and now it’s there. 🙂 Laura
Lisa says
Looking forward to trying this recipe! Looks delish!
Carin says
We bake so many things….and use all types of flours – whole wheat, white whole wheat, gluten free – but we have never tried ww pastry flour. Thank you!
Abby Hilkemeier says
Yummy! These whole wheat sugar cookies look epic!
Moira M says
Love this recipe and your baking tips! Thanks for sharing Laura.
Melanie says
I use the whole wheat flour the most! Looking forward to making these sugar cookies.
Linda says
These were sooo good!! Looking forward to make them again ❤️❤️❤️
Andrea says
We switched to whole wheat and have been loving the health results! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Lauren says
Yum!
Becky says
My girls love to bake cookies and muffins with me and we usually use whole wheat, so looking forward to making these sugar cookies with them.
Margot C says
These whole wheat sugar cookies look tasty!
Susan Bosserman says
Need to try these whole wheat sugar cookies asap!! Looks delish!
Lealia says
So good!
Debbie Bates says
I love cookies, especially when they are whole wheat! Thanks for sharing.
latanya says
I would like to give these a try! They look amazing!
Melissa says
YUM!
Cristina says
These sugar cookies look great! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
siri says
Yummy! These sugar cookies look epic.
Alice Bouwma says
Where’s the recipe itself – not just the link to the video? Thanks for this “healthier” option!
Jennifer Silva says
Thanks for sharing a whole wheat dessert recipe!
Connie Boyd says
We only eat whole wheat I this house so these cookies will def come in handy!
Emily Williams says
Love this recipe! Thanks for sharing it Laura.
Rachel says
Thanks for all the great baking tips. I am excited to try your sugar cookie recipe.
Evelyn says
Can’t go wrong with whole wheat sugar cookies! Yum!
Trish says
The whole wheat pastry flour is the best for cookies!!!
Maureen says
I love baking sugar cookie, I have never tried whole wheat sugar cookies. They look great though!
Wendi says
Yum! I need to give these whole wheat cookies a try!
Katie Glowicki says
I’ve only ever used all purpose flour for baking, but definitely up for trying a different type.
Jenny says
These sugar cookies look amazing! Thanks for sharing this recipe Laura.
Sarah says
Yum! Looking forward to making these whole wheat sugar cookies!
Sarah says
Love a good sugar cookie recipe! I will have to give this one a try.
Isabella Roversi says
Yummy!
Keri justice says
These whole wheat sugar cookies look delicious!
Billie Moore says
I made these last week and they turned out great! My husband loved them!!
Michelle Hoehne says
Whole wheat flour makes great cookies! Looking forward to trying these sugar cookies!
jacquelyn says
These sugar cookies look so good!
Rebecca Otto says
Yummy!
Preciousa says
These whole wheat sugar cookie look epic!! Thanks for sharing this recipe Laura.
Preciousa says
Unbleached!!!!! Stupid autocorrect!!
Najla says
These whole wheat sugar cookies look amazing!!
Jennifer C says
Oh goodness, I need to make these sugar cookies asap! They look so good.
Cammile says
Yummy
Be says
Delicious!!!
Nicole Bu. says
Yummy! Looking forward to trying these whole wheat sugar cookies!
Nicole says
Looks delicious Laura!
Angel says
Yum!
Kathlene says
These sugar cookies look exceptional! Looking forward to giving them a go.
Paula Clemmer says
I love whole wheat flour. It’s a beautiful flour great for everything!
Allison says
Love whole wheat recipe! Thanks for sharing this sugar cookie recipe!
Jennifer Caldwell says
Made these for my daughter and they turned out perfect!! New favorite sugar cookie recipe for sure!
Heidi says
My kids love sugar cookies, I need to try this whole-wheat recipe out!
Renee Dixon says
I have never had whole wheat cookies but they look fantastic!
Debbie Anderson says
Yummy! These sugar cookies look tasty!
Felicia Black says
My favorite is the whole wheat flour so I know these sugar cookies will be epic!
Jeannette Knudsen says
I love sugar cookies! Excited to try this whole wheat recipe!
Angela says
These look delish!
Stacy L says
My daughter loved these whole wheat sugar cookies! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Kelsey Roderick says
Yummy! Have to make these sugar cookies soon!
Christina Aguilar says
These whole wheat cookie look amazing!! I will have to make some for my kiddos birthday!
Ivy says
Ive never used anything but all purpose flour. I’m looking forward to trying whole wheat, though.
Karey V. says
Love baking with whole wheat flour! Looking forward to trying these sugar cookies they look amazing!
Gary says
Looking forward to making these whole wheat sugar cookies!!
Carrie Haines says
Yummy!
Denise says
I love using the organic whole wheat flour to bake! These sugar cookies look delish!
Carrie Miller says
Whole wheat pastry flour! I use it for everything! Need to try this sugar cookie recipe asap!
Maria says
These sugar look good!
MARIA OTTINGER says
I have never tried using whole wheat flour for sugar cookies, def going to try this recipe soon!
Becky Barnfather says
looking forward to trying this sugar cookie recipe!
Heather says
We love Bobs whole wheat pastry flour in our baked goods! These whole wheat sugar cookies look delish!
JoAnna Waddoups says
Absolutely delish! Looking forward to making these whole wheat sugar cookies!
Stacy says
I used whole wheat flour for all of my baked goods, they always turn out amazing! Thanks for this sugar cookie recipe.
Kay Eibl says
Thank you for sharing a whole wheat recipe, I have been having a hard time making whole wheat sugar cookies but this post looks delicious and promising.
Suzanne says
Yum! These whole wheat sugar cookies look great!
Courtney says
Whole wheat flour makes for epic desserts! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Cristina says
Made these whole wheat sugar cookies over the weekend and they turned out great!
Katie Chang says
The whole wheat flour is staple in my pantry. I will have to give this recipe a try!
Jennifer Parrish Shumake says
Yummy! These whole wheat sugar cookies look just as good as the originals!
Norma-Jean says
I usually use all purpose flour for my cookies and sweet breads for the holidays, but I would love to
try the Whole Wheat Pastry Flour!
Candace says
My daughter is going to love these whole wheat sugar cookies! Thanks for the recipe.
Stuti Patel says
Organic whole wheat flour makes for delicious sugar cookies!!
Rebecca Consol says
Oooh these sugar cookies look amazing! Will have to give your recipe a try.
Kate C says
I love whole wheat flour for baking, these sugar cookies look exceptional!
Angela says
Delish! Looking forward to making these sugar cookies!
Luisa Rivera says
I made these last night and they turned out great! Thanks for the whole wheat sugar cookie recipe 🙂
Sarah Esses says
I love whole wheat flour for all kinds of baking, these sugar cookies look epic!
Christina Wotton says
Yum! Need to give these whole wheat sugar cookies a try!
Irlenn Ortega says
I would like to try this flour to bake cookies for my kids. Thanks for all the information, it’s very helpful!!
Lindsey Mullnix says
Omg need to try this recipe asap! My son is whole wheat and he would love these sugar cookies!
Julie R says
Delish! I love to have a whole wheat option of cookies for when guests come over. Thanks Laura!
Wendyt says
Yummy!
Cheryl says
These whole wheat sugar cookies look delicious! Excited to try to make these for my grandkids.