The Perfect Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe for Baking Joy

Sweet memories dance through kitchens when soft cut out sugar cookies arrive on the scene.

Grandma’s cherished recipe transforms ordinary afternoons into magical moments of connection.

Butter and sugar blend into a delightful canvas waiting for creative decorations.

Precision matters when rolling these delicate treats that melt in your mouth.

Kids absolutely adore helping sprinkle colorful sugars and craft whimsical shapes.

Simple ingredients come together like a delicious symphony of comfort and joy.

Baking these cookies promises an adventure that sparks smiles and warm conversations.

You’ll want to gather everyone around and create delectable memories together.

FAQs

• Why do I need to chill the dough before rolling?

Chilling helps prevent spreading during baking, making your cookies maintain their shape perfectly. Cold dough is firmer and easier to cut into precise shapes without losing definition.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. This makes it convenient for planning ahead and reduces day-of preparation stress.

• What if I don't have almond extract?

No problem. The almond extract is optional and won’t impact the cookie’s structure. You can simply skip it or substitute with additional vanilla extract for flavor.

• How thin should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness for the best texture. This ensures cookies that are tender and soft, not too crisp or too thick.

Soft, Simple, and Sweet – Why Cut Out Sugar Cookies Never Fail

• Quick and Easy Baking: Perfect sugar cookies that require minimal effort and basic pantry ingredients.
• Versatile Decorating Delight: Customize these cookies for any holiday or celebration with different cookie cutters and colorful icing.
• Family-Friendly Baking Project: Ideal for creating sweet memories with kids, offering a fun and simple cooking activity everyone can enjoy.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, making it convenient for busy schedules and spontaneous baking sessions.

Sugar Cookie (Soft Cut Out) Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: The base for the cookie's structure and texture, providing a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and creates a soft, light texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Best when unsalted and at room temperature.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp edge on the cookies.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic sweet flavor. Pure vanilla extract offers the best taste.
• Almond Extract: Optional ingredient that provides a subtle, nutty background note. Use sparingly for a delicate flavor.

Sugar Cookies Cut-Out Prep

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until perfectly blended.

Set this magical mixture aside.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud of deliciousness.

This should take about 2-3 minutes of happy mixing.

Step 3: Add Moisture and Flavor

Introduce your egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re feeling fancy) to the butter mixture.

Mix until everything becomes best friends.

Step 4: Merge Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.

Mix just until everything comes together – don’t overmix or you’ll make tough cookies!

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Split the dough into two portions.

Flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and send them to the refrigerator for a cool nap of at least 1 hour.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F.

Line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 7: Roll and Cut Cookies

Dust your work surface with flour.

Roll out the chilled dough to a ¼-inch thickness.

Go wild with cookie cutters and create fun shapes!

Step 8: Arrange Cookies

Place your cookie shapes on the prepared baking sheets, giving them a little breathing room of about 1 inch apart.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the sheets into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Look for edges that are just starting to turn golden – that’s your sweet spot!

Step 10: Cool and Decorate

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely before adding any decorative magic.

Sugar Cookie Cut-Out Tips for Soft Results

• Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Use a light dusting of flour and roll dough to an even ¼-inch thickness for consistent, uniform cookies that bake perfectly.
• Opt for pure vanilla and almond extracts to enhance the cookie's delicate flavor profile and create a more sophisticated taste.
• Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when edges are just lightly golden to maintain a soft, tender texture.
• Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before adding frosting or decorations to prevent melting and ensure clean, crisp designs.

Keeping Sugar Cookies Soft

• Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They'll stay fresh for up to 5 days.
• Wrap undecorated cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for future enjoyment.
• Remove cookies from freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before decorating or serving.
• Warm refrigerated cookies briefly in the oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft texture and fresh-baked warmth.

Sugar Cookie Side Picks

• Delectable Drink and Pairing Companions
• Brew a Sweet Tea Companion: Prepare a chilled, lightly sweetened black tea that complements the cookie's delicate vanilla and almond notes, creating a refreshing afternoon treat.
• Craft Creamy Milk Harmony: Pour a cold glass of whole milk, whose rich, smooth texture balances the cookie's buttery sweetness and provides a classic, comforting pairing.
• Design Holiday Wine Partner: Select a light dessert wine like Moscato d'Asti, whose subtle bubbles and gentle sweetness enhance the cookie's delicate flavor profile during festive gatherings.
• Match Coffee Contrast: Brew a medium-roast coffee with subtle caramel undertones, which cuts through the cookie's sweetness and offers a warm, sophisticated counterpoint.

Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Styles

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Cookie Wonder: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, creating a plant-based version that's equally delicious.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining cookie's sweet profile.
• Nutty Alternative: Incorporate ground almonds or coconut flour for extra flavor and nutrition, adding depth to the classic sugar cookie recipe.

Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet sugar cookie magic brings delightful moments of happiness to kitchen gatherings. Crisp edges and smooth centers deliver classic comfort with delectable charm you’ll savor until the last delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 3/4 cups (345g) all-purpose flour

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a spacious bowl until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency, approximately 2-3 minutes of vigorous whisking.
3. Incorporate egg, vanilla, and almond extract into the butter mixture, blending until smooth and uniform.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to create a cohesive dough without overmixing.
5. Partition the dough into two equal portions, gently flatten into disc shapes, and encase in plastic wrap for thorough chilling in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour.
6. Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
7. Dust work surface with a thin layer of flour and roll the chilled dough to a quarter-inch thickness, using cookie cutters to create desired shapes with clean edges.
8. Arrange cookie shapes on prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately one inch of separation between each piece.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges that indicate perfect doneness.
10. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling before adding decorative elements.

Notes

• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother, more even mixing and better cookie texture.
• Add extra flavor by experimenting with different extract combinations like vanilla-orange or vanilla-lemon.
• Gluten-free option works perfectly by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 30mg