Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
If you’ve ever dreamed of making the perfect buttery, tender treat that’s just begging to be decorated with colorful icing and sprinkles, then you’re in luck! This Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe offers an unbeatable combination of simplicity and deliciousness, delivering cookies that are soft yet sturdy enough to hold any festive design you can imagine. Whether it’s for holidays, celebrations, or just a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in the straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create soft, flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Each component plays a key role, from the creamy butter that adds richness to the perfect balance of vanilla and almond extracts that elevate the sweetness with lovely depth.
- All-purpose flour (2 3/4 cups): The essential base that provides structure to your cookies without making them too dense.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Adds a gentle lift to keep the cookies soft and light.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1 cup): Creates that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture every soft sugar cookie needs.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the dough while contributing to that delicate crisp edge.
- Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients together, helping the cookies keep their perfect shape.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): A warm, classic flavor that makes each bite irresistible.
- Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a subtle, nutty aroma that takes these cookies from ordinary to extraordinary.
How to Make Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Begin by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is crucial for that consistent, tender crumb in your cookies.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. This step introduces air into the mixture, which helps your cookies stay soft and fluffy while baking.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Extracts
Next, mix in the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts until everything is smoothly combined. These flavors will infuse the dough with a warm aroma and rich taste that is simply irresistible.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your creamy wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be gentle here — overmixing can make your cookies tough instead of soft and tender.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half, form each into a disc, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling firms up the butter, making the dough easier to roll and helping the cookies keep their shape during baking.
Step 6: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
Step 7: Roll and Cut Out Shapes
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes, then carefully place them onto the prepared baking sheets for baking.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges start to turn a gentle golden color. Let them cool on the baking sheet for five minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating or serving.
How to Serve Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Soft cut-out sugar cookies are a blank canvas for creativity. Classic garnishes include royal icing in bright colors, shimmering sugar sprinkles, or even edible glitter to add sparkle. Fresh fruit-infused glazes or a dollop of buttercream can turn these treats into elegant delights for any occasion.
Side Dishes
Pair your cookies with a chilled glass of milk, a cup of hot cocoa, or your favorite tea for a perfect snack time. You can also serve them alongside fresh berries or a light fruit salad to balance sweetness with a fresh, tangy contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For gift-giving or party presentation, stack the cookies in decorative tins separated by parchment paper, or arrange them on a festive platter with ribbon accents. You can also sandwich two cookies together with a layer of frosting or jam for an irresistible twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your soft sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh and tender for up to a week. If you want to maintain that soft texture, add a slice of bread to the container to help retain moisture.
Freezing
Dough can be frozen for up to three months — just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and a freezer bag. You can also freeze baked cookies by placing them in a layer between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, ensuring they stay fresh and delicious whenever you’re ready to enjoy them.
Reheating
To bring frozen or refrigerated cookies back to soft perfection, warm them briefly in the microwave for about 10 seconds or leave them at room temperature for 30 minutes. This quick step revives the tender texture we all love.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, you can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand. Just be sure to reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to keep the cookies balanced.
What can I use if I don’t have almond extract?
If almond extract isn’t available, you can simply leave it out or substitute with an equal amount of extra vanilla extract. The cookies will still be deliciously flavorful.
How thick should I roll the cookie dough?
Rolling the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness is ideal for this recipe. It provides the perfect balance of soft, chewy centers and slightly crisp edges.
Can I freeze the cookie dough after shaping it?
It’s best to freeze the dough before shaping it into discs. After thawing, you can roll out and cut into your favorite shapes and bake as usual for the best texture.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Overly warm dough or baking sheets can cause your cookies to spread too much. Make sure your dough is chilled sufficiently and avoid placing cut cookies too close together on the baking tray.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe, you’ll understand why it’s became one of the most beloved classics in any baker’s kitchen. Soft, flavorful, and endlessly customizable, these cookies bring joy to every occasion. So grab your rolling pin, bring out the cookie cutters, and get ready to make some sweet memories!
Print
Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies are perfect for any occasion, offering a tender, buttery texture with a hint of almond and vanilla. Easy to make and fun to decorate, they hold their shape well and bake to golden edges while staying soft inside.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside to be added later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process typically takes about 2 to 3 minutes and ensures a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Incorporate the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing gently. Stir until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make cookies tough.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the cookie dough into two halves and shape each into a disc. Wrap the discs securely in plastic wrap and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This step helps the dough firm up and improves the cookie texture and shape retention during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Roll Out and Cut Dough: On a floured surface, roll each disc of dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes and carefully transfer them onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a light golden color. This ensures the cookies remain soft but develop a slight crispness on the edges.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and allows residual heat to finish the baking gently.
Notes
- For best results, ensure your butter is softened but not melted before creaming.
- Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing cookie spread and maintaining shape.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy clean-up and to avoid sticking.
- These cookies can be decorated with icing or sprinkles as desired once fully cooled.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
