There's nothing quite like a homemade sugar cookie, especially when it's perfectly soft, holds its shape, and becomes a delicious canvas for your decorating dreams. This recipe for Perfectly Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies is designed to give you consistently tender, flavorful cookies that are a joy to bake and even more fun to decorate. Whether you're preparing for holidays, birthdays, or just a sweet afternoon treat, these cookies will become your new go-to.
Forget tough, crumbly cookies! We'll guide you through every step to ensure your batch is wonderfully soft, with edges that don't spread and centers that stay delightfully chewy. Get ready to impress with cookies that taste as good as they look!
Why This Is Your New Favorite Sugar Cookie Recipe
This recipe isn't just another sugar cookie; it's a carefully crafted method for achieving cookie perfection. Here's why you'll love it:
- Incredibly Soft Texture: We've balanced the ingredients to ensure your cookies remain tender and melt-in-your-mouth, never dry or hard.
- Holds Shape Beautifully: Crucial for cut-out cookies, this dough maintains intricate shapes through baking, making your decorations truly shine.
- Easy to Decorate: A smooth, flat surface provides the ideal foundation for royal icing, glaze, or simple sprinkles.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of these pantry staples on hand already, making these cookies accessible anytime.
Gather Your Ingredients for Cookie Magic
Ready to bake the best soft cut-out sugar cookies? Here's what you'll need:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but highly recommended for extra flavor)
- Icing and sprinkles for decoration (optional)
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Perfect Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Follow these instructions closely to achieve sugar cookie excellence.
Prepare the Dough Like a Pro
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light, fluffy, and pale.
Step 3: Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract until well combined and smooth.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on the lowest speed just until the flour is fully incorporated and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough cookies. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
Step 5: Divide the dough into two equal discs, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This chilling step is vital for preventing spread and making the dough easy to handle.
Roll, Cut, and Bake to Perfection
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line several baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 7: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disc to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving a small space between each.
Step 8: Bake for 8-10 minutes. Watch closely: the edges should be just barely golden, and the centers should still look slightly soft. This slight underbaking is the secret to their tenderness. An extra minute can make them crispy.
Cool and Decorate with Joy
Step 9: Let the baked cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10: Once completely cool, unleash your creativity! Decorate with royal icing, simple glaze, or sprinkles. For another delightful cookie experience, you might also enjoy our Irresistible Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Top Tips for Sugar Cookie Success
- Butter Temperature is Key: Ensure your butter is truly softened, not melted. If it's too warm, your cookies will spread.
- Don't Skip the Chill: Chilling the dough is non-negotiable for perfectly shaped cookies that don't spread.
- Light Flour Dusting: Use minimal flour when rolling to prevent sticking, as too much flour can dry out the dough.
- Watch Your Oven: Every oven is different. Keep a close eye on the cookies during the last few minutes of baking to ensure they don't overbake.
- Get Creative with Decorating: These cookies are a blank canvas! For inspiration, check out this guide on cookie decorating from Food Network.
Storing Your Beautiful Creations
To keep your soft cut-out sugar cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If decorated, make sure any icing is completely dry and set before stacking to prevent damage. They will stay delicious for up to a week.
For more delicious meal ideas, explore our Hearty Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole: Your New Go-To Comfort Food.
Share the Sweetness!
These Perfectly Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies are more than just a treat; they're an opportunity to create and share joy. Their tender texture and delightful flavor are sure to make any occasion sweeter. Happy baking!
FAQs
Why do my cut-out sugar cookies sometimes spread too much?
Cookie spreading is often due to butter being too warm or insufficient chilling of the dough. Ensure your butter is softened, not melted, and always chill the dough for at least an hour before rolling and cutting. Overmixing the dough can also contribute to spreading.
How long will these soft sugar cookies stay fresh?
Undecorated soft cut-out sugar cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If decorated with royal icing, ensure the icing is fully set before stacking to prevent smudging, and they'll also keep well for several days.
Can I freeze the sugar cookie dough or baked cookies?
Yes, both the dough and undecorated baked cookies freeze beautifully. Wrap dough discs tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Baked cookies can be layered with parchment paper in an airtight container and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before decorating or serving.
What are the best decorating options for these cookies?
These soft sugar cookies are perfect for decorating! Royal icing is ideal for intricate designs that harden beautifully. For a quicker, softer finish, a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla or almond extract works wonderfully. Don't forget fun sprinkles and edible glitters!
Perfectly Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe for Decorating
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 dozen cookies (depending on cutter size) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This ultimate recipe delivers perfectly soft, tender cut-out sugar cookies that hold their shape beautifully, making them ideal for all your decorating adventures.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Icing and sprinkles for decoration (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until they are thoroughly combined. Set this dry mixture aside.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for approximately 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and visibly pale.
Step 3: Incorporate the large egg, vanilla extract, and the optional almond extract into the creamed butter and sugar. Continue to beat until all these wet ingredients are perfectly combined and the mixture presents a smooth consistency.
Step 4: Gradually add the prepared dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix on the lowest speed possible, just until the flour is fully incorporated and no dry streaks of flour are visible. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
Step 5: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Gently press each portion into a flattened disc shape, then wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 1 hour.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line several baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 7: On a clean, lightly floured surface, unwrap one disc of the chilled dough. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to a uniform thickness of 1/4-inch. Cut out shapes with your favorite cookie cutters and carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
Step 8: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. The edges should just begin to turn a very light golden color, while the centers should still appear slightly soft. This ensures a wonderfully soft texture.
Step 9: Once the cookies are baked, let them rest on the hot baking sheets for 5 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
Step 10: With your cookies fully cooled, it's time for decorating! Use your chosen icing and sprinkles to create edible works of art.
Notes
For best results, do not skip chilling the dough! It's essential for preventing spreading and achieving crisp, defined edges on your cut-out cookies. For a touch of citrus, add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest to the dough.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx 35g)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
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