Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies
Cut out sugar cookies are a baking staple, perfect for every occasion—from festive holiday shapes to simple circles for everyday treats. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just getting started, mastering these cookies is a must. With so many recipes out there, we’re here to share the best soft cut out sugar cookie recipe that holds its shape, tastes amazing, and doesn’t require excessive chilling.
By the end of this post, you’ll know everything there is to know about making sugar cookies that are buttery, soft, and flawless for decorating. Oh, and there’s no need to worry about spreading in the oven—we’ve got tips for that too.
Why You’ll Love Cut Out Sugar Cookies
These sugar cookies stand out for a few reasons:
Perfect for Beginners: Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to baking sugar cookies, this step-by-step guide will ensure success.
Soft Yet Sturdy: We’ve perfected the balance between soft melt-in-your-mouth texture and a sturdy structure that holds its shape for cut-outs.
No-Chill Recipe (Optional!) : While chilling the dough can enhance flavour and ensure shape retention, you can skip it if you’re short on time.
Easy to Customise: From the cookie dough to the icing on top, this recipe can be adapted for various occasions with different flavours, colours, and toppings.
How to Make Sugar Cookies with Icing
Here’s a quick breakdown of the process we’ll cover in detail below:
- Prepare the Dough – Using basic pantry staples, mix the perfect sugar cookie dough.
- Roll and Cut – Roll the dough to the ideal thickness and cut into your desired shapes.
- Bake – Bake until the cookies are lightly golden and firm to touch.
- Icing – Whip up an icing that’s easy to work with and decorate to your heart’s content.
With this comprehensive guide, you’ll have all the tools you need to create beautifully decorated cookies for any occasion.
The Trick Is the Order of Steps
This sugar cookie recipe focuses on process precision. Mixing the ingredients in the proper order is the key to achieving consistent dough. Creaming the butter and sugar first ensures the batter remains light and fluffy, while adding dry ingredients in intervals prevents overmixing. Trust the process—it’s worth it!
How Thick Do I Roll Sugar Cookies?
The optimal thickness for cut-out sugar cookies is ½ inch. This thickness gives the cookies their signature soft bite while retaining their shape. Pro tip: Use rolling pin guide rings to ensure even thickness across your dough. Uneven cookies can bake inconsistently, so this step is crucial for flawless results.
Sugar Cookie Icing
No sugar cookie is complete without decoration! Whether you prefer a classic royal icing or a simple powdered sugar glaze, the right icing takes your cookies to the next level.
Ingredients for Basic Royal Icing:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6 tablespoons water
- Gel food colouring (optional for vibrant designs)
Whisk these ingredients together until smooth, then adjust the consistency with more water for piping or flooding designs.
Sugar Cookie Tips & Tools
To make the process even smoother, here are some helpful tips and must-have tools:
Chilling the Dough – For added precision, chill the dough for 30 minutes before cutting.
Cookie Cutter Variety – Invest in sturdy stainless steel cutters for clean shapes.
Silicone Baking Mats – They guarantee consistent baking and stop sticking.
Piping Bags & Nozzles – Create intricate designs with ease.
Here’s What You Can Do With This Dough
The beauty of this dough lies in its versatility. With this cut-out sugar cookie dough, you can:
- Make festive shapes for holidays like Christmas or Easter.
- Create themed cookies for birthdays and special events.
- Experiment with adding flavours like almond or lemon extracts.
This dough is your blank canvas for countless creative projects..
Want to Save This Recipe?
Bookmark this post, share it with friends, or print it out and keep it handy. These sugar cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleaser and perfect for gifting, holidays, and more.
No Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies:A Delicious Alternative
Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract optional
For Decorating
- Sprinkles edible glitter, or other toppings
Instructions
- Cream Butter & Sugar – Using a mixer, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients – Mix in the egg, vanilla, and almond extracts until combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients – Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. While mixing on low, gradually add to the wet mixture.
- Roll the Dough – Place dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll to ½-inch thickness.
- Cut and Bake – Cut into shapes and bake on a silicone-lined tray at 180°C (350°F) for 9-11 minutes.
- Cool & Decorate – Allow cookies to cool completely before icing and decorating.
Notes
- For no-chill dough, reduce flour slightly for easier rolling.
- Baked cookies can be kept for up to a week in an airtight container.
- Enjoy creating these delightful sugar cookies!