History of Sugar Cookies

Have you ever wondered where sugar cookies actually come from? Turns out, their story is older than most people think. Sugar cookies go all the way back to the 1700s, when German settlers in Pennsylvania created something called “Nazareth Cookies.” These were simple, buttery cookies named after the town of Nazareth. What makes them special is that they were made with just basic ingredients: sugar, flour, butter, eggs, and sometimes a little vanilla. Very simple to make, but what made them perfect was that they were easy to shape, bake, and share.

The thing was that sugar itself wasn’t always so common. Back in medieval Europe, people mostly used honey to sweeten their desserts. But as sugar became easier to get, because of the trade routes that started to open up, bakers started experimenting more. That’s when early versions of sugar cookies started popping up in places like England and Germany. But it wasn’t until the recipe crossed the ocean that it really became what we know today.

Fast forward to the 1800s. Tin cookie cutters became popular, and people started cutting their cookies into shapes for holidays and special occasions. By the early 1900s, sugar cookies were pretty much a baking tradition in American homes, especially around Christmas. That whole idea of leaving cookies out for Santa? Sugar cookies played a huge role in that tradition.

Over time, people started decorating them more, adding icing, sprinkles, and even edible glitter. What started as a basic recipe became something really creative and fun. Today, sugar cookies aren’t just cookies; they’re part of celebrations, family memories, and those cozy kitchen moments we all love.