These Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing are the perfect treat for any occasion! With their buttery texture and sweet, smooth icing, they make an ideal canvas for all kinds of fun designs and decorations. Whether it’s for the holidays, a birthday, or just because, these cookies are sure to bring a smile to your face.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love making these sugar cookies because they are so versatile and easy to prepare. The dough holds its shape perfectly, meaning your cookies will look beautiful and polished, whether you’re creating festive designs or just making simple, elegant cut-outs. The addition of a smooth icing allows for endless customization—add food coloring to match any theme or event!
The best part? They’re a breeze to make, with just a little chilling time required to help the dough firm up before cutting. The cookies are light, buttery, and just the right amount of sweetness, and the icing is the perfect finishing touch. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or a fun weekend project, these cut-out cookies will always impress.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the Icing:
2 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Food coloring (optional)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prepare the Cookies:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Divide the dough in half, flatten each portion into a disk, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Cut and Bake:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
Transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between them.
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Icing:
In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the milk to achieve your desired icing consistency.
If you’d like to color your icing, divide it into bowls and add food coloring to each bowl, mixing well.
Use a piping bag or a spoon to decorate the cooled cookies. Allow the icing to set before serving or storing.
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories per Serving: 150 kcal
Variations
These cookies are incredibly adaptable! Here are a few variations you can try:
Flavor variations: Add lemon zest, orange zest, or cinnamon to the dough for a unique twist.
Icing options: Experiment with royal icing for a thicker, more durable coating, or use different types of sprinkles for added texture.
Decorative toppings: Try adding edible glitter, small candies, or chocolate chips on top of the icing for extra flair.
Vegan version: Substitute the butter with a plant-based butter and use a flax egg to replace the regular egg.
Storage/Reheating
Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to store them longer, you can freeze the cookies before icing them. Just place the cooled cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw the cookies at room temperature and then decorate.
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FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge, wrapped in plastic wrap. This makes it even easier when you’re ready to bake.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While butter gives the best flavor and texture for these cookies, you can use margarine if needed. Just be aware that it might affect the final texture and taste slightly.
Can I use a different type of sugar?
Granulated sugar is best for the dough’s structure, but if you want to experiment, you can try a light brown sugar for a hint of molasses flavor.
How long does it take for the icing to set?
The icing usually takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to fully set, depending on how thick the icing is and the humidity in your environment.
Can I decorate the cookies after freezing them?
Yes, it’s best to freeze the cookies without the icing. Once thawed, you can decorate them, and the icing will set just as it would on fresh cookies.
Conclusion
These Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing are a timeless treat that I always come back to for any celebration. The buttery cookies are perfect for decorating and the icing gives me a chance to get creative with colors and designs. Whether you’re baking them for a holiday, a party, or just a fun baking day at home, these cookies will bring joy to everyone who eats them. They’re not only delicious but also an enjoyable project to make with friends and family.
📖 Recipe:
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Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing are the perfect treat for any occasion. With a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and smooth icing for decorating, these cookies are ideal for birthdays, holidays, or any celebration. Easy to make with simple ingredients, the dough holds its shape beautifully, making it perfect for fun and creative designs. Customize your icing with food coloring for endless design possibilities. These cookies will delight both kids and adults alike!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the Icing:
2 cups powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookies:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. The dough should be soft, not sticky.
Divide dough into two portions, flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. - Cut and Bake:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll out dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
Place cut cookies onto prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges turn golden. Cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. - Make the Icing:
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust milk for desired consistency.
Divide icing into bowls and add food coloring if desired. Decorate cooled cookies with icing, then allow them to set before serving.
Notes
The dough can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
For thicker icing, use less milk, or for a thinner consistency, add more milk.
Customize the cookies with different sprinkles, candies, or edible glitter for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150 kcal
