These soft cut-out sugar cookies are ideal for any holiday or special occasion! With a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a hint of vanilla and almond, they’re as delicious as they are beautiful. Their sturdy shape makes them perfect for decorating, whether with icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter. A classic treat everyone will love
Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions:
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, around 2-3 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, beating until fully combined.
Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain the cookies’ softness.
Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll and Cut Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
Bake the Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges just start to turn golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving Tips:
Perfect Presentation: Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter, especially if they’re beautifully decorated with icing or sprinkles. Use a tiered serving tray for a festive touch at events.
Make it Fun: For gatherings, set up a “decorate-your-own-cookie” station with various icings, sprinkles, and edible glitter, making it interactive and fun for guests.
Storage Tips:
Room Temperature: Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to keep them soft and fresh. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking.
Freezing Dough: Prepare and freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a zip-top freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting.
Freezing Baked Cookies: Freeze undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Layer parchment between cookies and thaw at room temperature before decorating.
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FAQs:
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes, you can make the dough up to three days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough soften slightly at room temperature before rolling it out.
How can I keep the cookies soft after baking?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread or a damp paper towel on top. This helps keep them soft and prevents them from drying out.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Absolutely! You can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies. For dough, wrap it well and freeze for up to three months. For baked cookies, layer them with parchment paper in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
What’s the best way to decorate these cookies?
Royal icing or buttercream frosting works beautifully on these cookies. You can also add sprinkles or edible glitter before baking or roll the cookies in colored sugar for a simpler option.
Conclusion:
These soft cut-out sugar cookies are a versatile treat for holidays, birthdays, and celebrations of all kinds. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and a guaranteed hit for both kids and adults. Get ready to enjoy a classic sugar cookie that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!
📖 Recipe:
Print
Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery cut-out sugar cookies perfect for decorating and holiday celebrations. These cookies hold their shape beautifully and have a light vanilla flavor with a hint of almond, making them an ideal choice for any festive occasion. With easy instructions and a simple ingredient list, they’re a go-to treat for cookie lovers.
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Divide dough in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a floured surface, roll out dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to shape and transfer to baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges begin to turn golden. Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Chill Dough: Chilling is essential to maintain shape during baking.
Thickness: Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness for best results.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24 cookies
- Calories: 120 kcal per cookie
Keywords: Soft cut-out sugar cookies, holiday sugar cookies, easy cut-out cookies, sugar cookies for decorating, vanilla almond sugar cookies, festive sugar cookies, soft sugar cookie recipe, holiday baking
