The smell of freshly baked Cut-out Sugar Cookies always takes me back to my childhood. I can still remember standing on a stool next to my grandma, carefully cutting out shapes from the soft dough. She’d let me pick the cookie cutters – the classic trees and stars were my favorite. As the cookies baked, the kitchen would fill with the most heavenly aroma. It was pure magic watching the plain dough transform into beautifully decorated treats. My grandma always let me be the first to try the warm, buttery cookies straight out of the oven. I’d carefully decorate each one, trying my best to make them look perfect. Looking back, those were some of the most special moments I shared with my grandma. Even now, making Cut-out Sugar Cookies reminds me of her warmth and the love she poured into every batch.
Why This Cut-out Sugar Cookies Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
I’m excited to share this Cut-out Sugar Cookies recipe because it’s the one that’s been passed down in my family for generations. It’s the perfect balance of soft, buttery goodness and the classic vanilla flavor we all love. What sets this recipe apart is the secret technique my grandma taught me for achieving the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
The Secret Behind Perfect Cut-out Sugar Cookies
The key is in how you handle the dough. You want to be as gentle as possible, avoiding over-mixing at all costs. This ensures the cookies don’t become tough or dry. I also have a special trick for chilling the dough that gives it the perfect texture for easy rolling and cutting. Follow these steps, and you’ll end up with Cut-out Sugar Cookies that are simply irresistible.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unsalted butter: The base of the dough, providing richness and flavor. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and creates that classic crispy edge.
- Egg: Binds the dough together and adds structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the buttery, vanilla notes.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives the cookies their shape and substance.
- Baking powder: A small amount helps the cookies rise and maintain their shape.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
Step-by-Step Cut-out Sugar Cookies Instructions
Preparing Your Cut-out Sugar Cookies
This Cut-out Sugar Cookies recipe is straightforward to make, with a total time of about 1 hour and 15 minutes. You’ll need a stand mixer or hand mixer, a rolling pin, cookie cutters, and baking sheets. Let’s get started!
1- In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well combined.
2- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
3- Divide the dough in half, shaping each half into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days).
4- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
5- Working with one disc of dough at a time, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes, gently transferring them to the prepared baking sheets.
6- Bake the Cut-out Sugar Cookies for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips for Success
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting – this helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Don’t overwork the dough, as this can make the cookies tough. Handle it gently and only mix until just combined.
- Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for even browning. Rotate the sheet halfway through baking.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating or storing to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Serving and Storing Your Cut-out Sugar Cookies
Perfect Pairings for Cut-out Sugar Cookies
Cut-out Sugar Cookies are the ultimate festive treat, perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or just an afternoon snack. They pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk. You can also serve them alongside a selection of other holiday cookies for a truly impressive dessert spread.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Cut-out Sugar Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, you can freeze the unbaked dough for up to 3 months. Simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling, cutting, and baking as usual. Baked cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months – just be sure to let them cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe container.
Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Cut-out Sugar Cookies
Creative Cut-out Sugar Cookies Variations
The fun part about Cut-out Sugar Cookies is that you can get creative with the shapes and flavors. Try using different cookie cutters, like hearts for Valentine’s Day, pumpkins for Fall, or snowflakes for the holidays. You can also add food coloring to the dough or use colored sugar for a fun, vibrant look. For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of lemon or almond extract to the dough.
Making Cut-out Sugar Cookies Diet-Friendly
To make this Cut-out Sugar Cookies recipe gluten-free, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For a vegan version, use plant-based butter and replace the egg with a flax or chia “egg.” If you’re watching your carbs, you can try using a sugar substitute like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener in place of the granulated sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
A: While you can use salted butter, I recommend sticking with unsalted to better control the amount of salt in the recipe. The added salt in salted butter may make the cookies too salty.
Q: How long should I chill the dough?
A: For best results, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll and cut without the cookies losing their shape. You can also chill the dough for up to 3 days.
Q: Can I freeze the baked cookies?
A: Absolutely! Baked Cut-out Sugar Cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just be sure to let them cool completely before placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Q: How many cookies does this recipe make?
A: The yield can vary depending on the size of your cookie cutters, but this recipe will typically make 2-3 dozen Cut-out Sugar Cookies.
Q: My cookies spread while baking. What did I do wrong?
A: If your cookies spread too much, it’s likely that the dough was not chilled long enough before baking. Make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days) to help the cookies hold their shape.
Cut-out Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 18
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
These classic cut-out sugar cookies are a delight to bake and enjoy. With a perfectly soft and buttery texture, they’re the perfect canvas for festive decorations and make a wonderful addition to any holiday spread.
Ingredients
– 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
1. – In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. – In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. – Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. – Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 3 days).
6. – Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. – On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes using your favorite cookie cutters.
8. – Transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
9. – Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
10. – Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. – Decorate the cooled cookies with icing and sprinkles, if desired.
Notes
– For best results, chill the dough for at least 1 hour before rolling and cutting.
– Use high-quality butter and vanilla extract for optimal flavor.
– Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes to make the cookies festive for any occasion.
– Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 8
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
I hope this Cut-out Sugar Cookies recipe brings back sweet memories for you, just like it does for me. With its perfect balance of buttery, vanilla-infused goodness and the fun of decorating, this is a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Give it a try, and let me know how your cookies turn out! I’d love to see your creative cookie creations.
