Cut Out Sugar Cookies
These are the best cut out sugar cookies ! They soft , buttery and hold their shape perfectly . So versatile they can be topped with my sugar cookie frosting , a glaze or Royal frosting of your choice. This is a tried and true recipe from my Mother and we made these every Christmas when I was growing up. I can remember sitting at our kitchen table for hours decorating cookies for our neighbors and friends. I first posted this sugar cookie recipe in 2010 to Just a pinch so I would always have a copy of it . That original recipe makes a ton of cookies so I cut it down a bit. If you love sugar cookies you need to check out my Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookies .
Growing up my mom taught me to roll out cookie dough by using a floured surface and rolling pin. The problem was the more you rolled out the dough the more flour got into it and made for a tough and dry cookie. Using parchment paper to roll out your dough and then chilling it prevents this from happening. In this recipe I give tips on how to get the perfect cookie that is buttery and soft every time.
What you will Need to make Cut Out Sugar Cookies :
- Butter – real butter not substitutes for this recipe. I use unsalted but you can use salted and omit the salt
- Sugar – just plain ole granulated sugar
- Egg- It needs to be room temperature
- Vanilla – Pure vanilla extracts , not the imitation vanilla
- All Purpose Flour
- Baking powder – make sure it is in date
- Salt
- Hand Mixer or Stand up Mixer -My Kitchen Aid is my work horse
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters -Here are the round cutters I use
Tips for making the best Sugar cookie :
- Room temperature butter and eggs will allow the base to mix the best
- A good quality vanilla will give your cookies the best flavor.
- Do not over mix your dough, over mixing will make your cookie tough
- Roll your dough between two sheets of wax paper or parchment paper , not using flour will prevent the dough from getting tough
- Chill your dough, this will allow you to make the most precise cuts and allow the cookie to keep its shape in the baking process
- Bake on parchment paper , everything bakes better on it
Let’s make some cookies !
Cream together the butter and sugar until it is smooth. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until smooth and well incorporated.
In a separate bowl whisk together the flour , baking powder and salt. Add a little of the flour mixture at a time until a dough forms . Do not over mix the dough
Form the dough into a ball and place it on a sheet of parchment paper and roll it out to desired thickness. Place the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes . I cover the dough with another piece of parchment paper but this is optional.
Place the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes . I cover the dough with another piece of parchment paper but this is optional. Place the cut outs on the parchment lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 9-12 minutes . Depending out thick you cut them , the thicker they are the longer they will take to cook.
Allow to cool and finish them how you like. I either use a simple glaze or my Sugar cookie frosting
If you like this recipe you will love these :
- Chocolate dipped sugar cookie
- Double Dark Chocolate Mint cookies
- Chewy Molasses Cookies
- Sugar Cookie Frosting
Cut Out Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temp
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 lg egg room temp
- 1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extracts
- 2 1/2 cups All purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cream together the butter and sugar until it is smooth
- Add the egg and vanilla and mix until smooth and well incorporated
- In a separate bowl whisk together the flour , baking powder and salt
- Add a little of the flour mixture at a time until a dough forms . Do not over mix the dough
- Form the dough into a ball and place it on a sheet of parchment paper and roll it out to desired thickness. * see notes
- Place the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes . I cover the dough with another piece of parchment paper but this is optional.
- Loosen the chilled dough from the parchment paper and cut cookies out .
- Place the cut outs on the parchment lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 9-12 minutes . Depending out thick you cut them , the thicker they are the longer they will take to cook
- Allow to cool and finish them how you like. I either use a simple glaze or my Sugar cookie frosting .
