Sweet & Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe for Any Occasion

Sugar cookies have been my secret weapon for delighting guests during holiday gatherings.

Memories of baking soft cut out sugar cookies with my grandmother still warm my heart.

Delicate and melt-in-your-mouth textures make these treats irresistible to everyone who tries them.

The magic happens when you combine simple ingredients with a touch of love and patience.

Each carefully rolled and shaped cookie becomes a canvas for creative decorations and personal flair.

Crisp edges and tender centers promise a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.

Sprinkle some joy into your kitchen and watch as these cookies create smiles all around.

Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies That Keep Their Shape

• These soft sugar cookies become a delightful family tradition perfect for decorating together during Christmas or birthdays.
• The recipe requires basic ingredients and simple mixing techniques, making it ideal for novice bakers or children learning to cook with minimal kitchen skills.
• Dough can be prepared ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours, allowing busy home cooks to plan baking around their schedule without last-minute stress.
• Smooth, tender cookie base provides an excellent surface for creative frosting, sprinkles, and personalized designs that transform simple cookies into edible art.

What to Grab for Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter, Sugar: Create a creamy, sweet base for the cookies. Use unsalted butter for better flavor control.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, classic flavor. Pure vanilla extract offers the best taste.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth dough consistency.

• Plastic Wrap: Used for chilling and storing the cookie dough. Helps dough maintain shape and develop flavor.

Instructions for Rolling and Baking Perfect Cookies

Step 1: Blend Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk flour, baking powder, and salt until perfectly combined. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the other components.

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar using an electric mixer. Whip on medium speed until the mixture becomes light, airy, and fluffy. This typically takes about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Add Moisture Makers

Pour in egg, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are smoothly integrated.

Step 4: Form Silky Dough

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Use low mixer speed to create a soft, cohesive dough. Mix just until everything comes together.

Step 5: Chill Cookie Dough

Split the dough into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth disk. Wrap each disk securely in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour or up to 24 hours to enhance flavor and texture.

Tips for Cookies That Stay Soft and Hold Design

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate cookie dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and help cookies maintain sharp edges during baking.
• Control Flour Consistency: Avoid adding too much flour while rolling out dough, which can make cookies dry and tough; use light, gentle touch when handling.
• Master Rolling Technique: Roll dough to consistent 1/4-inch thickness for even baking and uniform cookie shapes, ensuring crisp edges and soft centers.
• Prevent Sticking Smartly: Dust work surface and rolling pin with light layer of powdered sugar instead of flour to keep cookies tender and prevent dry patches.
• Temperature Matters: Remove cookies from baking sheet after 2-3 minutes to cool on wire rack, preventing overcooking and maintaining soft, delicate texture.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Sugar Cookies

• Store leftover sugar cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Wrap cooled cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies maintain quality for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to preserve their soft texture.
• Briefly warm cookies in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore their original softness and bring back that freshly baked taste.

Frosting and Beverage Matches for Sugar Cookies

• Creamy hot chocolate with marshmallows complements these soft sugar cookies perfectly, creating a warm winter treat.
• Vanilla almond milk or classic chai tea adds a delightful liquid counterpoint to the cookies' sugary sweetness.
• Late harvest Riesling brings out the delicate vanilla notes, offering a sophisticated adult pairing that balances the cookie's sugary profile.
• Moscato d'Asti provides a light, effervescent touch that dances alongside the soft, buttery cookie texture, enhancing the overall tasting experience.

Holiday Versions of Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies

• Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Sugar Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, use a flax egg or applesauce instead of a regular egg, and choose plant-based milk like almond or oat milk.
• Almond-Infused Sugar Cookies: Add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract alongside vanilla extract for a nutty, aromatic flavor that complements the classic sugar cookie taste.
• Lemon Zest Sugar Cookies: Incorporate fresh lemon zest into the dough for a bright, citrusy note that adds a refreshing dimension to the traditional sugar cookie recipe.

Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

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

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Description

Sweet-seekers rejoice! Classic Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies bring nostalgic bakery magic straight from grandma’s kitchen to your plate. Simple ingredients and delicate frosting promise delightful moments of pure cookie bliss you’ll savor with each tender bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Cookies):

• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

Dry Ingredients (Leavening and Seasoning):

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (or almond extract for a twist)
• 2 tablespoons milk

Frosting Ingredients:

• 3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 46 tablespoons water
• Gel food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing vessel, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
2. Utilize a hand or stand mixer to cream butter and sugar in a spacious bowl, blending until the mixture achieves a pale, airy consistency with notable volume.
3. Incorporate egg, vanilla extract, and milk into the creamed mixture, beating until all components are seamlessly integrated.
4. Introduce dry ingredient mixture gradually into the wet ingredients, employing low-speed mixing to form a cohesive, smooth dough without overmixing.
5. Partition the dough into two equal portions, gently shaping each into a flat, circular disk.
6. Encase each dough disk completely in plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets remain.
7. Refrigerate the wrapped dough for a minimum of 60 minutes or up to 24 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and dough to firm up, which enhances flavor development and makes rolling easier.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain sharp cookie shapes during baking.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and consistent cookie texture.
• Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and achieve uniform thickness.
• For dietary modifications, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and use plant-based butter for vegan-friendly cookies.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg