Welcome to your new favorite sugar cookie recipe! These classic treats are a must-have for holidays and special occasions, offering a delightful canvas for all your creative decorating ideas. You’ll love their soft, tender centers and delicately crisp edges, making every bite a pleasure. This simple guide ensures perfect results every time. Get ready to bake a batch of delicious cookies that disappear fast! This recipe yields about 3-4 dozen cookies, with prep time around 25 minutes, cook time 11-12 minutes, and a crucial chill time of at least 2 hours.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Sugar Cookies
This particular sugar cookie recipe stands out for several fantastic reasons, making it a go-to for busy parents and beginner bakers alike.
- Perfect Texture: Enjoy cookies with soft, thick centers and delightfully crisp, buttery edges.
- Rich Flavor: A classic combination of butter and vanilla, with an optional hint of almond, creates an irresistible taste.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable with different extracts or spices to suit any season or preference.
- Holds Shape: The dough is engineered to hold its shape beautifully, making it ideal for intricate cookie cutters and decorating.
- Stays Fresh: These sugar cookies remain wonderfully soft for days when stored properly.
- Freezer-Friendly: You can freeze baked cookies or raw dough, making meal prep and future baking a breeze.
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients for these delightful sugar cookies. Precision is key for the best results!
- 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed for rolling and work surface
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but makes the flavor outstanding)
- Royal Icing, Easy Glaze Icing, or Cookie Buttercream (royal icing is pictured)
- Assorted sprinkles
Notes & Substitutions
Achieving the best sugar cookie texture starts with ingredient preparation. As explained by Sally’s Baking Addiction, room temperature butter and eggs are crucial for baking success because they emulsify better, trapping air and creating a lighter, airier base for your cookies. Always use room temperature butter and egg. This helps them cream together smoothly with the sugar, creating a light, airy base for your cookies.
Measure flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off with a straight edge; don’t scoop directly from the bag, as this compacts flour and can lead to a dry, crumbly dough. The almond extract is optional but highly recommended for an enhanced, bakery-quality flavor profile. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt to 1/8 teaspoon to balance the flavors.
Equipment
You’ll need a few essential tools to make these perfect sugar cookies. Having the right equipment makes the process much smoother and more enjoyable.
- Electric mixer: A handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment is crucial for creaming butter and sugar.
- Baking sheets: Large sheets for baking, lined with parchment paper or silicone mats for non-stick results.
- Rolling pin: For evenly rolling out your cookie dough.
- Cookie cutters: Choose your favorite shapes for decorative sugar cookies.
- Decorating essentials: Food coloring, piping tips, piping bags, couplers, or squeeze bottles for icing.
How To Make Sugar Cookie
Follow these clear, step-by-step instructions to create the best cut-out sugar cookies you’ve ever made. This process is designed to be beginner-friendly and yield fantastic results.
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later.
Step 2: Cream Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on high speed. Continue beating for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and creamy. Next, add the room temperature egg, pure vanilla extract, and the optional almond extract. Beat on high speed for about 1 minute until everything is fully combined.
Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula, then beat again as needed to ensure everything is thoroughly incorporated. Add the whisked dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until they are just combined and a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing. If the dough seems too soft and sticky for rolling, beat in 1 additional tablespoon of flour.
Step 3: Roll Out Dough & Chill
Divide the soft dough in half. Place each portion between two pieces of lightly floured parchment paper or on lightly floured silicone baking mats. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough evenly to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Use a bit more flour if the dough feels too sticky during this step. The rolled-out dough can be any shape, as long as it maintains a consistent 1/4-inch thickness. Lightly dust one rolled-out dough portion with flour to prevent sticking. Place the second rolled-out dough portion, still on its parchment paper, directly on top of the first. Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days. This chilling step is essential for perfect cut-out sugar cookies.
Step 4: Preheat Oven & Prepare Sheets
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
Step 5: Cut and Arrange Cookies
Carefully remove one piece of chilled dough from the refrigerator. If it’s sticking to the parchment, gently run your hand underneath to help release it. Using your favorite cookie cutters, cut the dough into desired shapes. Gather any dough scraps, gently reroll them, and cut out more cookies until all the dough is used. You’ll be surprised how many delicious sugar cookies you get from rerolling! Repeat this process with the second piece of dough. Arrange the cut-out cookies about 3 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.
Step 6: Bake Until Lightly Browned
Bake the cookies for 11–12 minutes, or until their edges are very lightly browned and the centers are set. If your oven tends to have hot spots, rotate the baking sheets halfway through the bake time to ensure even cooking. Allow the baked sugar cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They must be entirely cool before you begin decorating.
Step 7: Decorate
Once the cookies are completely cooled, decorate them with royal icing, an easy cookie icing, or cookie decorating buttercream. Feel free to tint any of the icings with gel food coloring to match your theme. You can use various decorating tools like piping tips, bags, or squeeze bottles. No need to cover the decorated cookies while the icing sets. For faster setting, you can place the decorated cookies (on a baking sheet) into the refrigerator. Enjoy your beautiful, homemade sugar cookies right away or wait for the icing to set fully before serving or storing them.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Mastering the perfect sugar cookie is simple with a few helpful tips. Always chill your dough after rolling it out to prevent spreading and help the cookies retain their crisp shapes during baking. This is a game-changer for beautifully defined edges. For consistent baking, roll your dough to an even 1/4-inch thickness; uneven thickness leads to some cookies being under-baked while others are over-baked.
If your dough is crumbly, it usually means you’ve added too much flour or your butter wasn’t soft enough; try adding a teaspoon of milk or cream to the dough while mixing. To prevent spreading, ensure your butter is cold when you start creaming, avoid over-mixing the dough, and always chill your cut-out sugar cookie shapes before baking. The ideal cookie thickness (1/4 inch) yields that perfect balance of soft centers and crisp edges.
Serving, Storage & Variations
These versatile sugar cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether served simply or elaborately decorated.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these delicious sugar cookies plain for a simple treat, or transform them with creative decorations for holidays and parties. Once the icing is completely set, these cookies are sturdy and beautiful for gifting, shipping, or selling at bake sales.
Storage Instructions
Store plain or iced sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer freshness, especially if decorated with certain icings, cover and refrigerate them for up to 10 days. If using cookie buttercream, store decorated cookies at room temperature for up to 1 day or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Freezing Options
You can easily freeze these sugar cookies. Freeze baked and cooled plain cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating or serving. To freeze raw cookie dough, shape it into discs (still rolled between parchment) or cut out shapes, then freeze flat. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw slightly in the fridge before cutting or baking.
Flavor & Decoration Variations
Get creative with your sugar cookie flavors! Swap vanilla extract for maple, coconut, lemon, or peppermint for different seasonal tastes. Add spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients for a warm twist. Experiment with different icings: Royal Icing dries hard and shiny, perfect for intricate details; an Easy Glaze Icing offers a softer bite and quick drying; while Cookie Buttercream provides a rich, creamy texture. Don’t forget to use various cookie cutter shapes and a wide array of sprinkles to make each batch unique!
Nutrition
Here is the estimated nutritional information for one prepared sugar cookie (approximately 30g without icing). Please note that these values can vary based on specific ingredient brands and preparation methods.
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Cholesterol | 20mg |
| Sodium | 50mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 16g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 9g |
| Protein | 1g |
Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Got questions about making these delightful sugar cookies? Here are some common queries answered to help you bake with confidence.
Can I make these sugar cookies without a mixer?
Yes, you can! You’ll need strong arm muscles to cream the butter and sugar thoroughly by hand, then mix in the dry ingredients. It might take a bit longer, but it’s definitely achievable.
How do I prevent my sugar cookie dough from being crumbly?
A crumbly dough usually means it’s too dry. Ensure your butter is properly softened to room temperature, and precisely measure your flour using the “spooned and leveled” method to avoid adding too much.
What’s the best way to measure flour for sugar cookies?
Always spoon the flour into your measuring cup, then level it off with the back of a knife or a straight edge. Never scoop directly from the bag, as this compacts the flour and adds too much.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter and salt?
You can, but slightly reduce the added salt in the recipe to 1/8 teaspoon to account for the salt already in the butter. This adjustment helps maintain the perfect flavor balance in your sugar cookie.
How long do these sugar cookies stay fresh?
Plain or iced, these delicious cookies will stay fresh and soft for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them.
Final Thoughts
There you have it your ultimate guide to baking the best cut-out sugar cookie recipe! With soft centers, crisp edges, and a rich buttery vanilla flavor, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. We’ve made sure every step is simple and easy to follow, even for beginners, ensuring you achieve perfect results. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create some magical treats. We encourage you to try this fantastic recipe and share your decorated sugar cookie creations with us! Don’t forget to leave a review and let us know how your cookies turned out.
The Best Cut-Out Sugar Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; then beat in egg, vanilla, and optional almond extract. Gradually add dry ingredients to form a soft dough.
- Divide the dough in half, roll each portion between floured parchment or silicone mats to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Stack and refrigerate the rolled-out dough for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days, to chill thoroughly.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Using cookie cutters, cut shapes from the chilled dough, rerolling scraps as needed, and arrange cookies on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake cookies for 11-12 minutes until edges are lightly browned; cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- Decorate cooled cookies with your choice of icing and sprinkles, optionally tinting icing with gel food coloring.
- Enjoy cookies immediately or store them tightly covered at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for up to 10 days for longer storage.
Notes
Hi there, I’m chef living in New York City. Every morning, I wake up to the sounds of my little one’s laughter and the comforting routine of preparing breakfast for my family my husband, our child, and my beloved mother, who’s become both my rock and my inspiration since my father passed away. As the only daughter left in our family, I feel a deep responsibility to carry on his memory whenever I step into the kitchen.
- Dominiquehttps://goldfoodie.com/author/empirecipegmail-com/
- Dominiquehttps://goldfoodie.com/author/empirecipegmail-com/
- Dominiquehttps://goldfoodie.com/author/empirecipegmail-com/
- Dominiquehttps://goldfoodie.com/author/empirecipegmail-com/
