Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies

Learn how to make perfect cut-out sugar cookies that are both crunchy and chewy, and hold their shape perfectly after baking. They are super easy to make at home and are great when decorated with royal icing or other frosting, perfect for occasions from Christmas to birthdays.

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this recipe
• Ingredients you need for this recipe
• How to Make The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe With Powdered Sugar
• How to decorate cookies
• Tips for perfect cut-out cookies
• Storage and freezing
• Variations & Substitutions
• FAQS - Frequently Asked Questions
• More Sugar Cookie Recipes
• Cut Out Sugar Cookies

Cut-out sugar cookies are delightful treats that you can easily shape into various fun designs using cookie cutters. These rolled sugar cookies are known for their soft and chewy texture, making them a favorite for both baking and decorating. 

You can decorate these cookies with royal icing or frostings, making them perfect for all sorts of occasions like Christmas cookies or birthdays. Plus, you can flavor them with a wide variety of tastes to suit any preference.

These chewy sugar cookies are super easy to make, maintain their shapes beautifully, and stay flat after baking, making them perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers alike.

Ingredients you need for this recipe

You need these ingredients to make these easy cut out cookies:

• Butter - unsalted butter, with a higher fat content with at least 80% fat content and well softened.
• Powdered Sugar - Essential for a smooth texture, you can also use white granulated sugar or brown sugar, but the texture won't be as smooth.
• Egg - At room temperature.
• Vanilla - Pure liquid vanilla extract to flavor the cookies, you can also add other extracts, such as almond extract.
• Flour - White wheat all-purpose flour is best for shortbread cookies.
• Salt - Fine, to enhance the flavor.
• Baking Powder - Optionally, a bit of baking powder for a softer texture.

How to Make The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe With Powdered Sugar

Here are some quick visual instructions. Don't forget that full recipe instructions with exact ingredients can be found in the recipe card below!

Cream butter and sugar

• In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, place the softened butter with the powdered sugar and mix at medium speed with an electric hand mixer for 1-2 minutes until you get a smooth and creamy batter.
• Then add the egg and vanilla and mix again to incorporate them.

Add dry ingredients

• Add the flour mixture, flour, salt, and baking powder (optional), and mix again with the mixer at low speed just enough to get a crumbly texture.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl and gather up the cookie dough by hand to form a smooth ball.
• Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for about 30 minutes to 1 hour to rest.

Cut shapes

• Take the sugar cookie dough out of the fridge and roll it out on a lightly floured surface or between two sheets of parchment paper using a rolling pin to a thickness of about 3 mm.
• Place the rolled-out dough sheet in the freezer for about 5 to 10 minutes to firm its texture.
• Use cookie cutters by pressing down on the rolled and chilled cookie dough to make clean, sharp cuts.

Bake cookies

• Place cut-out sugar cookie pieces of dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or on silicone mats spacing them about 5 cm apart.
• Put the prepared baking sheet with the cut-out sugar cookies back in the freezer for about 15 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven at 170°C (about 340°F) and bake cookies for approximately 8 to 10 minutes until they are lightly golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center.
• Let them cool slightly on the sheet pan before moving them to a wire rack or a flat plate to let them cool completely.
• Decorate your baked cookies with royal icing or my other decoration ideas listed below.

How to decorate cookies

Here are some ideas for frosting and other decorations to decorate sugar cookies :

• Royal Icing: Use my easy royal icing made just from icing sugar (confectioners sugar) and water (no meringue powder) to create detailed and colorful patterns with a piping bag. You can tint it with gel food coloring for more variety like in these iced Christmas cookies.
• Sugar Paste: Decorate with a layer of sugar paste or marzipan for specific themes like holidays or birthdays.
• Sprinkles and Pearls: Add sprinkles, sugared pearls, or edible glitter for a festive and shiny touch.
• Melted Chocolate: Dip the cookies in melted chocolate or use it to draw patterns.
• Powdered Sugar: A simple dusting of powdered sugar can give an elegant and straightforward touch.
• Sugar Decorations: Use theme-specific sugar decorations, like little trees for Christmas or hearts for Valentine's Day.
• Lemon Glaze: A lemon glaze can add a delicious tangy touch and a shiny appearance.
• Buttercream frosting: Use a simple whipped buttercream recipe to decorate the tops of your cookies.
• Cream cheese frosting: My buttercream cream cheese frosting recipe is perfect for decorating cookies.

Storage and freezing

At Room Temperature: Store sugar cookies completely cooled for up to a week at room temperature in an airtight container, stacked on top of each other.

In the Freezer: Freeze sugar cookies when they are completely cooled for up to 3 months in a storage box or plastic bags. 

How to freeze raw cookies? To freeze raw cookie dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. For shaped raw cut-out cookies, arrange them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.

FAQS - Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my cut-out cookie dough crumbly?

Your cut-out cookie dough might be crumbly because it lacks enough moisture, possibly due to too much flour or not enough butter.

What does powdered sugar do in baking cookies?

In baking cookies, powdered sugar creates a tender texture and a fine crumb, and it dissolves more easily than granulated sugar, ensuring a smoother dough.

How to prevent sugar cookies from spreading and hold their shapes?

To prevent sugar cookies from spreading, use an electronic scale for precise ingredient measurements, avoid overworking the dough to prevent shrinkage, and freeze the cookie dough pieces before baking.

More Sugar Cookie Recipes

I hope you love these sugar cookies. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!

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