Perfectly soft, buttery, and easy to decorate these Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are a must for holidays, birthdays, or any celebration! This tried-and-tested recipe holds its shape beautifully while baking, making it ideal for cookie cutters. The texture is tender but sturdy enough for frosting, glaze, or royal icing. Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing for a festive cookie tray, these sugar cookies are a classic that never goes out of style.
Ingredients
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional but adds great flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until combined.
- Form dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
- Roll out dough: Divide dough in half. Roll each portion between two sheets of parchment paper to ¼-inch thickness.
- Chill: Transfer rolled dough to a baking sheet and chill for 30 minutes , this helps cookies keep their shape.
- Cut shapes: Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Transfer to prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.
- Bake: Bake 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon lemon zest or orange zest to the dough.
- Always chill your dough , it’s the secret to sharp, clean shapes.
- These cookies are perfect for royal icing, buttercream, or vanilla glaze.
- Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze up to 2 months.
Nutrition & Serving Info
Calories: ~180 per cookie (plain)
Prep Time: 15 mins
Chill Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Serves: 24–30 cookies
