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Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies are a quintessential holiday classic, blending a tender crumb with the nostalgic flavors of butter and vanilla. These thick, bakery-style cookies are perfect for decorating, holding their shape through baking, and serving as a canvas for your creative designs.
Whether enjoyed plain or adorned with icing and sprinkles, these cookies are a delight to make and share. They’re ideal for festive gatherings, baking with kids, or gifting to loved ones. The perfect balance of sweetness and softness makes them irresistible and ensures they’ll become a staple in your holiday traditions.
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Full Recipe:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, or substitute with more vanilla)
For the Icing (Optional):
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring, optional
Directions:
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- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts. Gradually combine dry ingredients with wet until a soft dough forms.
- Roll and Chill: Divide dough into two portions, rolling each to ¼-inch thickness between parchment paper. Cover and chill for at least 1-2 hours.
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
- Cut and Bake: Cut chilled dough into shapes using cookie cutters. Arrange on prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges just start to brown. Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
- Decorate (Optional): For icing, mix powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding milk or sugar. Color as desired with gel food coloring. Spread or pipe onto cookies and let set for 30 minutes to a few hours.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Chilling Time: 1 hour | Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Kcal: 94 per cookie | Servings: 36 cookies
Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies: A Timeless Holiday Classic
Soft cut out sugar cookies have long been a favorite treat during the holiday season, embodying the joy and creativity that define festive baking. This recipe yields thick, tender cookies that hold their shape beautifully, making them an ideal canvas for all your decorative ambitions. Whether you’re crafting intricate designs or enjoying a simple dusting of sugar, these cookies bring a touch of elegance and fun to your holiday table.
Why Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Stand Out
What sets these cookies apart is their perfect balance of flavor and texture. While some sugar cookies lean toward being overly crisp or crumbly, these are soft and chewy, with just the right amount of structure to maintain their form. A subtle hint of vanilla and almond extract (optional but recommended) elevates the flavor profile, adding a sophisticated twist that mimics bakery-style cookies.
Their versatility is another hallmark. These cookies can be adapted to suit various occasions beyond Christmas, from Valentine’s Day to Easter, or even themed birthday parties. By changing the shapes, colors, and decorations, you can tailor them to any event, making them a reliable go-to recipe year-round.
Tips for the Perfect Sugar Cookies
Achieving the ideal soft cut out sugar cookie isn’t just about the recipe; it’s also about mastering a few techniques that ensure your cookies turn out beautifully every time:
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial to preventing the cookies from spreading during baking. Rolling out the dough before chilling makes the process easier and ensures consistent thickness.
- Maintain Consistent Thickness: Rolling the dough to a ¼-inch thickness is key for achieving the signature soft, bakery-style texture. Thinner cookies may bake unevenly, resulting in crisp edges and overly soft centers.
- Use Quality Ingredients: High-quality butter and extracts enhance the flavor, giving the cookies a rich, buttery taste with a delightful aromatic undertone.
- Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing the dough can incorporate too much air, causing the cookies to lose their structure. Mix until the ingredients are just combined for the best results.
Decorating Ideas for Sugar Cookies
Decorating sugar cookies is where the magic truly happens. The possibilities are virtually endless, limited only by your imagination. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, there’s a decorating style for everyone:
- Simple Elegance: Dust the cookies with powdered sugar or use a light glaze for a minimalist aesthetic.
- Festive Designs: Outline and flood the cookies with royal icing in holiday colors. Add sprinkles, candy accents, or edible glitter for a festive touch.
- Personalized Cookies: Use piping bags to create names, messages, or detailed patterns on each cookie. These make for memorable gifts or party favors.
- Themed Sets: Create sets of cookies that follow a specific theme, such as snowflakes for winter, hearts for Valentine’s Day, or bunnies for Easter.
For beginners, using gel food coloring and pre-made icing tubes can simplify the decorating process while still yielding impressive results.
The Tradition of Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies have been a staple of holiday baking for generations, with roots tracing back to early European settlers in America. They’ve become synonymous with festive traditions, often made as part of family gatherings where children can join in on the fun of cutting and decorating. This particular recipe keeps that tradition alive, offering a foolproof way to create beautiful, delicious cookies that can be enjoyed by bakers of all skill levels.
The communal aspect of making sugar cookies adds to their charm. From mixing the dough to rolling it out, cutting festive shapes, and adding decorative touches, every step invites participation and creativity. Sharing these cookies, whether at a holiday party or as part of a gift box, extends that sense of connection and joy.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
One of the most convenient aspects of this recipe is its flexibility when it comes to timing. The dough can be prepared in advance, rolled out, and stored in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to bake. This is particularly helpful during the busy holiday season when time is at a premium. Similarly, baked cookies can be frozen, decorated or undecorated, for later use.
When storing baked cookies, keep them in an airtight container to maintain their softness. If you’re stacking decorated cookies, place parchment or wax paper between layers to protect the designs.
Pairing and Serving Suggestions
These cookies shine on their own but pair beautifully with warm beverages like hot chocolate, spiced cider, or a comforting cup of tea. They can also be served alongside other holiday treats, creating an impressive dessert spread. For a more interactive experience, set up a cookie decorating station where guests can customize their own treats.
Conclusion
Soft cut out sugar cookies are more than just a delicious treat—they’re a symbol of festive cheer and creativity. Their tender texture, delightful flavor, and endless decorating possibilities make them a cherished part of holiday traditions. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting a cookie exchange, or simply indulging in some holiday self-care, this recipe offers the perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication.
By mastering this recipe, you’re not only creating delicious cookies but also crafting memories that will be cherished for years to come. So gather your ingredients, break out the cookie cutters, and let the holiday magic unfold in your kitchen.
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Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Description
Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies are a quintessential holiday classic, blending a tender crumb with the nostalgic flavors of butter and vanilla. These thick, bakery-style cookies are perfect for decorating, holding their shape through baking, and serving as a canvas for your creative designs.
Whether enjoyed plain or adorned with icing and sprinkles, these cookies are a delight to make and share. They’re ideal for festive gatherings, baking with kids, or gifting to loved ones. The perfect balance of sweetness and softness makes them irresistible and ensures they’ll become a staple in your holiday traditions.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, or substitute with more vanilla)
For the Icing (Optional):
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3–4 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring, optional
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts. Gradually combine dry ingredients with wet until a soft dough forms.
- Roll and Chill: Divide dough into two portions, rolling each to ¼-inch thickness between parchment paper. Cover and chill for at least 1-2 hours.
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
- Cut and Bake: Cut chilled dough into shapes using cookie cutters. Arrange on prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges just start to brown. Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
- Decorate (Optional): For icing, mix powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding milk or sugar. Color as desired with gel food coloring. Spread or pipe onto cookies and let set for 30 minutes to a few hours.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes