Best Sugar Cookies
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Best Sugar Cookies
This soft cut-out sugar cookies recipe creates the ultimate bakery-style treat from scratch with simple pantry staples like butter, sugar, and vanilla. The dough is wonderfully soft and easy to roll, making it perfect for festive cookie decorating with the whole family. You’ll love how these homemade sugar cookies hold their shape beautifully while delivering a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Every holiday season, my kitchen transforms into a flour-dusted workshop where these soft cut-out sugar cookies become our family’s edible ornaments. I’ve perfected this recipe across countless Christmases and birthday parties, discovering that the secret lies in the patient chilling of the dough. The anticipation builds as the scent of butter and vanilla fills the air while they bake to golden-edged perfection. I often serve these alongside my festive cinnamon roll sugar cookies for a delightful cookie platter, or pair them with a warm slice of chocolate banana bread for afternoon tea.
During my travels through European bakeries, I noticed how master pastry chefs always emphasized texture above all else, which inspired me to refine this recipe until it achieved that perfect balance between structural integrity and delicate softness. These cookies have become my go-to for teacher appreciation gifts and bake sales, often accompanied by batches of my popular chocolate chip cookies to satisfy every sweet tooth.
Four Reasons These Sugar Cookies Shine
- Perfect Texture: The chilled dough creates cookies that are soft in the center with lightly crisp edges.
- Decorator’s Dream: These cut-out cookies hold their shape beautifully for intricate cookie decorating.
- Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare the dough days in advance for stress-free baking.
- Family Favorite: Simple ingredients and easy technique make this recipe kid-approved and fun to make together.
What You’ll Need for Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming and rich flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Creates the perfect sweetness and helps achieve that light, fluffy texture.
- Large eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better for a uniform dough consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla adds warm, aromatic notes to these homemade sugar cookies.
- All-purpose flour: Measured properly to provide structure without making the dough tough.
- Baking powder: Gives just the right amount of lift for soft cookies with perfect height.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the recipe.
Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Make perfect soft cut-out sugar cookies with this easy recipe. Buttery, tender cookies that hold their shape beautifully – ideal for decorating and holidays.
Equipment
- large bowl
- electric mixer
- medium bowl
- whisk
- plastic wrap
- oven
- Rolling Pin
- cookie cutters
- baking sheet
- parchment paper
- wire rack
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Beat in the large eggs one at a time, incorporating each egg fully before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract until just combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough; stop as soon as no streaks of flour remain. The dough will be soft.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Lightly flour a clean work surface and a rolling pin. Take one chilled dough disc from the refrigerator and roll it out to a thickness of approximately 1/4 inch. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes, re-rolling scraps as needed.
- Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are just set. Do not overbake to ensure soft cookies.
- Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, they are ready to decorate or enjoy.
Notes
Chilling the dough is crucial for easy rolling and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Ways to Customize Your Cut-Out Cookies
- Lemon Zest Variation: Add two tablespoons of fresh lemon zest to the dough for bright, citrusy notes that pair beautifully with the sweetness.
- Almond Extract Twist: Replace half the vanilla extract with almond extract for a sophisticated, nutty flavor profile.
- Spiced Sugar Cookies: Mix in one teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice with the dry ingredients for warm, aromatic cookies.
My Secret Tips for Sugar Cookie Success
- Proper Chilling: Don’t rush the chilling step, as cold dough prevents spreading and makes rolling much easier.
- Even Thickness: Use rolling pin guides or two equal-thickness rulers on either side of your dough for perfectly uniform cookies.
- Work Quickly: When cutting shapes, work with half the dough while keeping the remainder chilled to maintain the ideal texture.
- Baking Temperature: Ensure your oven is fully preheated to 375°F for the perfect rise and golden edges on your soft cookies.
Keeping Your Sugar Cookies Fresh and Tender
- Store: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, separating layers with parchment paper.
- Freeze: Unbaked dough discs wrap tightly in plastic and freeze for three months, while baked cookies freeze well for two months.
- Reheat: Refresh cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore that just-baked softness and aroma.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the dough up to two days ahead and refrigerate, or freeze cut-out shapes ready for baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my sugar cookies spread too much?
Sugar cookies spread when the dough isn’t chilled sufficiently or contains too much butter. Ensure your dough chills for at least one hour, and avoid over-creaming the butter and sugar, which incorporates excess air. Using a cool baking sheet for each batch also helps maintain the cookie shapes.
Can I make sugar cookies without a mixer?
Yes, you can make these by hand, though it requires more effort. Use a wooden spoon to cream softened butter and sugar vigorously until lightened in color. Gradually work in the eggs and dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix. The chilling step becomes even more crucial for hand-mixed dough.
How thin should I roll sugar cookie dough?
Roll your chilled dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness for the perfect balance between sturdy cutting and soft eating. Thinner cookies may become crisp, while thicker ones might not bake evenly. Using rolling pin guides or measuring helps achieve consistent results across all your cut-out cookies.
What’s the best way to decorate cut-out sugar cookies?
Always cool cookies completely before decorating. A simple royal icing or glaze works beautifully, and you can divide it into portions for different colors. For easier cookie decorating, use piping bags with small tips for outlines and flood icing to fill areas smoothly.
Can I use this dough for cookie cutter shapes?
This recipe is specifically designed for cookie cutters. The dough maintains sharp edges during baking, making it perfect for intricate shapes from simple circles to detailed seasonal designs. For the cleanest cuts, dip your cookie cutters in flour between uses to prevent sticking.
Other Favorite Cookie Recipes to Try
Why These Soft Cut-Out Cookies Become Family Tradition
With their perfect balance of tender texture and sturdy structure, these soft cut-out sugar cookies make every occasion special. The recipe’s reliability and beautiful results have made it a staple in my kitchen for everything from holiday celebrations to simple weekend baking projects. I hope these homemade sugar cookies bring as much joy to your home as they have to mine, creating sweet memories with every batch.
