Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love these Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies because they’re soft, flavorful, and easy to work with. The dough rolls out smoothly without crumbling or sticking, and the cookies keep their shape perfectly when baked. Whether you decorate them with royal icing, buttercream, or simple sprinkles, they’re a delightful addition to any holiday dessert table.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Granulated sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract (optional)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), mixing until smooth.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. Divide the dough in half, flatten each portion into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) to make it easier to roll out.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
8. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden.
10. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Once cooled, decorate with icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar as desired.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 24–30 cookies, depending on size.
Preparation time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
Baking time: 8–10 minutes per batch
Total time: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Variations

• Add lemon or orange zest for a light citrus flavor.
• Use almond extract for a nutty, bakery-style taste.
• Frost with royal icing for intricate designs or buttercream for a soft, rich topping.
• Add food coloring to the dough for festive, colorful cookies.
• Sandwich two cookies together with jam or frosting for a fun twist.

Storage/Reheating

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If decorated with icing, allow them to dry completely before stacking. You can also freeze the cookies (baked or unbaked) for up to 2 months. To thaw, let them sit at room temperature—no reheating needed unless you want them slightly warm.

FAQs

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading and makes the dough easier to roll and cut into shapes.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months before baking.

How do I keep the cookies soft?

Don’t overbake them! Remove from the oven when the edges are just set and let them finish cooking on the baking sheet.

What type of icing works best?

Royal icing gives a smooth, hard finish for detailed designs, while buttercream is soft and rich for a classic look.

Can I skip the almond extract?

Yes, it’s optional, but it adds a lovely bakery-style flavor. Vanilla alone still makes delicious cookies.

My dough is sticky—what should I do?

Add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it’s easier to handle, but avoid adding too much or the cookies may turn out dry.

Can I use salted butter?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.

How do I prevent cookies from losing their shape?

Chill the cut cookies on the baking sheet for 10–15 minutes before baking to help them hold their edges.

Can I roll the dough thicker or thinner?

Yes, but thicker cookies will be softer while thinner ones will be crispier—adjust baking time accordingly.

How can I decorate without icing?

Try sprinkling the dough with colored sugar before baking or brushing baked cookies with melted chocolate.

Conclusion

Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are the perfect blend of classic flavor and creative fun. With their tender texture and easy-to-handle dough, they’re ideal for holiday decorating or any special occasion. Whether you keep them simple or dress them up with icing and sprinkles, these cookies are sure to become a family tradition for years to come.

Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are tender, buttery cookies that hold their shape perfectly, making them ideal for decorating. With a delicate vanilla flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re a timeless favorite for holidays, parties, and family baking traditions.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
• Cook Time: 8–10 minutes per batch
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 24–30 cookies
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), mixing until smooth.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
5. Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, and wrap each in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
8. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters and place on prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
9. Bake 8–10 minutes, or until edges are just barely golden.
10. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Decorate with icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar once cooled.

Notes

• Chill dough to help cookies keep their shape.
• Do not overbake for a soft texture—edges should be just set.
• Add citrus zest or flavored extracts for variety.
• Decorate with royal icing for crisp designs or buttercream for a softer finish.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for 2 months.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 9g
• Sodium: 70mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg