Description
Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies are the perfect base for festive decorating. This buttery dough rolls easily, holds its shape when cut, and stays soft and chewy after baking. With minimal chill and straightforward steps, you can create hearts, stars, or snowflakes that bake thick and tender. Ideal for Valentine’s, Christmas, or any celebration—decorate with royal icing or buttercream for eye-catching, delicious results every time. They freeze well for make-ahead desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional, for flavor)
- For Decorating (Optional): Royal icing, buttercream frosting, or colored sugar sprinkles
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two portions, flatten each into a disc, and chill for 30 minutes (for easier rolling).
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
- Transfer to prepared baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are just starting to turn golden.
- Cool completely before decorating with frosting or icing if desired.
Notes
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to help cookies keep their shapes while baking.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be just set and lightly golden at the edges.
- If dough is sticky, chill longer or dust the surface with a little flour while rolling.
- For thicker cookies, roll to ¼ inch or slightly thicker and roll another batch from the scraps for a consistent look.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Creaming, rolling, and cutting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (about 40 g)
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies, soft sugar cookies, cut-out cookies, decorated cookies, holiday cookies, Valentine cookies, Christmas cookies, chewy sugar cookies, shape-holding cookies