Introduction

Cut out sugar cookies are a classic treat perfect for any occasion, from holiday celebrations to everyday snacking. These tender, buttery cookies hold their shape beautifully and are ideal for decorating with icing or frosting. Enjoy making them your own with fun shapes and colorful embellishments.

A close-up image of a small round cookie with scalloped edges, pale golden in color, topped with a white icing design that forms 12 petal-like shapes radiating from the center. In the middle of the cookie, there is a cluster of coarse purple sugar crystals adding texture and color contrast. The cookie is stacked on top of two similar plain golden cookies, all placed on a light brown paper surface with other cookies slightly blurred in the background on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup salted butter (cold & cut into cubes)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Sugar cookie icing (for a simple glossy glaze or fancier decorating)
Sugar cookie frosting (for spreading or piping)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Whisk together the flour and baking powder in a bowl, then set aside.
Step 3: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the cold butter and sugar together until smooth and creamy. Blend in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
Step 4: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating until just combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
Step 5: The dough will be crumbly; use your hands to knead it together as you scoop it out of the bowl until it forms a smooth dough.
Step 6: Roll the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 to 3/8 inch thickness. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
Step 7: Place the cutouts on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Transfer the sheets to the freezer for 10 minutes while you confirm the oven is at 350 degrees F.
Step 8: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the bottoms are just barely golden. Watch carefully to avoid over-baking.
Step 9: Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Step 10: Enjoy the cookies plain or decorate with your choice of icing or frosting. Allow decorated cookies to set for about 3 hours or overnight before stacking.

Tips & Variations

Chilling the dough before rolling helps prevent spreading and keeps the shapes sharp.
Use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar for a slightly softer texture.
For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine.
Try different extracts like lemon or orange to add a unique flavor twist.
Decorate with royal icing for detailed designs or use simple glaze for an easy glossy finish.

Storage

Store cooled, decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, layer with parchment paper between cookies and refrigerate for up to two weeks. Reheat non-decorated cookies briefly in a low oven if you prefer them warm; decorated cookies are best served at room temperature.

How to Serve

A collection of colorful decorated sugar cookies is shown in four sections, each on a white plate or tray with a white marbled background. The top left section has star, heart, and circle shapes with a smooth layer of red, blue, and white icing, some topped with matching red or blue sugar sprinkles. The top right section shows heart, star, and oval shapes decorated with white icing and red or blue brushstroke patterns, with some solid-colored areas in pink and yellow. The bottom left section features flower-shaped cookies with white icing outlines and centers filled with orange, purple, yellow, or green sugar crystals, alongside round cookies covered with solid green, yellow, and orange icing. The bottom right section has round cookies with thick swirled pink, white, or blue icing sprinkled with multi-colored round sprinkles, all placed on a gold cooling rack. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before rolling out.

Why do my cookies spread too much while baking?

This often happens if the butter is too warm or the dough hasn’t been chilled enough. Make sure to use cold butter and chill the cut cookies before baking to maintain their shape.