Ah, the sweet siren call of cut-out sugar cookies! If there’s one thing that can light up a cozy afternoon in the kitchen, it’s rolling out dough, pressing cookie cutters into it, and watching those delightful little shapes pop up. These Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies have trended in my kitchen for ages, and with good reason—they’re fluffy, buttery, and perfect for any occasion. What keeps me coming back? The joy of decorating them with royal icing, transforming each cookie into a miniature work of art. It’s like edible art therapy—how can you resist?
Why you’ll love this recipe
Let’s face it: There’s something magical about baking cookies that takes you back to childhood. The soft bite of a perfectly baked sugar cookie is reminiscent of holiday gatherings, birthday parties, and the warm hugs of loved ones. But what sets these cookies apart from the rest?
- Texture Galore: They’re soft and chewy where it counts, yet sturdy enough for all that frosting you’ll want to pile on.
- Flavor Harmony: The combination of vanilla and almond extracts creates an intoxicating mix, making every bite sing with flavor.
- Versatility: Decorate them for holidays or keep them simple. Either way, they steal the show!
- Family Fun: Get the kids involved in rolling, cutting, and decorating. Making memories through shared tasks is the spice life is made of.
So why wait? It’s time to bake!
Gather these ingredients
Now, let’s gather what we need for these delightful cookies.
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1 cup salted butter, softened: Using salted butter brings a complexity to the sweet flavor profile. If you’re a fan of unsalted butter, just add a pinch of salt to the dough—it’ll be just as delicious!
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1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: This is your sugar rush! It provides sweetness and helps create that lovely texture. You could use less if you prefer.
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1 large egg (at room temperature): The egg binds everything together while adding moisture. Remember, warmer eggs mix better!
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1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract: This classic flavor is the backbone of your cookies—don’t skimp on quality. Pure vanilla always reigns supreme.
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1 teaspoon almond extract: This gives your cookies a delightful twist! If you’re allergic or simply prefer vanilla, feel free to swap it out.
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2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: The structure of your cookies, giving them that classic soft texture. Scoop and level it for the best results!
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1 teaspoon baking powder: A touch of leavening to uplift your cookies without making them cake-like.
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2 cups powdered sugar: For the icing, of course! Sweet and ready to sparkle.
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3-4 tablespoons whole milk: This is essential for making your icing dreamy and pourable. Adjust to your desired consistency!
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1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract & 1/8 teaspoon almond extract: Just a bit to flavor the icing.
Now that we’ve gathered our arsenal, let’s dive into the fun part!
Preparing Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Let’s talk about how to bring these cookies to life.
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Preheat your oven: Start by preheating to 350°F (175°C). It’s critical to a nice, even bake.
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Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, combine softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy—it should be almost like whipped cream.
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Add the egg and extracts: Drop in that egg and both extracts. Give it a good mix until everything is well combined.
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Combine the dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to your wet ingredients. Don’t rush—the dough should start coming together beautifully. It’s going to feel a little crumbly at first, but it’s magic when you acquire the perfect consistency.
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Chill the dough: Wrap it tightly in plastic and let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour. Chilling prevents spreading while baking, ensuring those beautiful shapes hold!
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Roll and cut: Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
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Bake: Pop those little beauties into the oven for about 8-10 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden. Remember, they’ll continue to cook a little after coming out of the oven!
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Cool down: Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
How to ice the cookies
Ah, the icing! This is where your creativity shines. Here’s how to whip it up:
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Make your icing: In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/8 teaspoon almond extract. Mix until it’s smooth.
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Adjust consistency: You want it to be pourable but able to hold some shape. Add extra milk a tablespoon at a time if needed.
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Decorate: Use a piping bag or a plastic sandwich bag with a corner snipped off to drizzle your icing on cooled cookies. Have fun with colors—get those sprinkles ready!
Best way to enjoy it
These cookies pair like a dream with a tall glass of milk or perhaps a steaming cup of chai tea. Consider presenting them on a vibrant platter, surrounded by a medley of colorful sprinkles. They make for stunning centerpieces at parties. Want something extra? Serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat!
Keeping leftovers fresh
These cookies, if by some twist of fate, end up as leftovers, can easily be stored. Place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about a week. You can also freeze them! Just layer them with parchment paper in an airtight container and they will keep for up to three months.
Tips for a successful recipe
- Room temperature egg: This is key for even mixing. Cold eggs won’t integrate as well.
- Don’t skip chilling: Seriously, this is magic! It allows the dough to firm up, ensuring those cookies won’t spread too much.
- Taste the dough: I mean, is there anything better than raw cookie dough? As long as you’re okay with it (raw eggs, etc.), give it a taste test!
Creative Twists
Feel free to get adventurous with flavors! Swap out the vanilla or almond extract for lemon or orange for a zesty pop. Want to make them festive? Add a few drops of food coloring to your dough or icing, or choose themed sprinkles for holidays—it’s all about personalization!
Common questions
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How long do these cookies take to make?
Between prep and baking, you’re looking at about 2 hours, including chilling time. -
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
You can, but the flavor and texture may differ. Butter is always the best choice for richness! -
What’s the best way to decorate them?
Let your creativity run wild! Use piping gel, royal icing, or just pour the icing and add sprinkles before it sets. -
Can I make this dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, chill it, and store it in the fridge for a few days or freeze it. -
What’s a good way to spice these up?
Consider adding spices like nutmeg or cinnamon for a warm touch.
Baking these Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies will not just dazzle everyone’s taste buds but create moments of laughter, creativity, and warmth in your kitchen. They’re a testament to the joy of homemade treats, and I invite you to rethink your own traditions. Don’t just stop here; try your variations, improvise with flavors, and let those kitchen adventures bring you closer to the ones you love. Happy baking, my friend!
Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Description
These Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are fluffy, buttery, and perfect for any occasion, allowing you to decorate them as you wish.Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
Instructions
Baking Instructions
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Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).This is crucial for a nice, even bake. -
Cream the butter and sugar
In a large bowl, combine softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat together until light and fluffy. -
Add the egg and extracts
Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts, and mix until well combined. -
Combine dry ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Gradually add it to the wet mixture until a dough forms.The dough may be crumbly at first but will come together. -
Chill the dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.Chilling prevents spreading while baking. -
Roll and cut
Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. -
Bake
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden.Cookies will continue cooking slightly after removing from the oven. -
Cool down
Let cookies cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Icing Instructions
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Make the icing
In a bowl, combine powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix until smooth.Adjust consistency with additional milk if needed. -
Decorate
Use a piping bag or snipped sandwich bag to drizzle icing and have fun with colors.Add sprinkles for decoration.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 24
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 100kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 6g10%
- Saturated Fat 4g20%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 15mg5%
- Sodium 50mg3%
- Potassium 30mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 10g4%
- Dietary Fiber 0g
- Sugars 6g
- Protein 1g2%
- Vitamin A 300 IU
- Vitamin C 0 mg
- Calcium 10 mg
- Iron 0 mg
- Vitamin D 0 IU
- Vitamin E 0 IU
- Vitamin K 0 mcg
- Thiamin 0 mg
- Riboflavin 0 mg
- Niacin 0 mg
- Vitamin B6 0 mg
- Folate 0 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0 mcg
- Biotin 0 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 0 mg
- Phosphorus 0 mg
- Iodine 0 mcg
- Magnesium 0 mg
- Zinc 0 mg
- Selenium 0 mcg
- Copper 0 mg
- Manganese 0 mg
- Chromium 0 mcg
- Molybdenum 0 mcg
- Chloride 0 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
