There is nothing quite as delightful as the classic Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe when you want to fill your home with that irresistible sweet aroma and create edible works of art that taste just as wonderful as they look. These cookies are tender, flavorful, and perfectly soft to bite into, making them a favorite for sharing with family and friends during holidays, celebrations, or just because. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this recipe will guide you through crafting sugar cookies that hold their shape beautifully while remaining blissfully soft at the center.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, high-quality ingredients is the foundation of any excellent cookie. Each ingredient in this Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a special role in bringing the texture, taste, and inviting appearance of the cookies to life.
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour: This is the backbone of the cookies, providing structure and shape for those perfect cutouts.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Adds just enough lift to keep the cookies light and tender instead of flat and dense.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the cookie’s overall flavor.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Creates that rich, melt-in-your-mouth softness with a luxurious buttery taste.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies while helping achieve a delicate crumb.
- 1 large egg: Binds all the ingredients together and contributes to the softness you’re after.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with warm, fragrant notes that are essential in sugar cookies.
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract: Adds an extra layer of subtle, nutty flavor to make your cookies uniquely delicious.
How to Make Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. This ensures even distribution of the leavening and salt, which is key for a consistent texture in every cookie.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the dough, which helps create that soft, tender crumb in the cookies.
Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts
Mix in the egg along with the vanilla and almond extracts until everything is combined smoothly. These flavorings elevate the cookies by adding depth and warmth to their profile.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix just until combined—resist the urge to overmix! Overworking the dough can lead to tougher cookies rather than perfectly soft ones.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two discs and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Chilling for at least one hour is essential as it firms the dough, making it easier to roll out and helping the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Step 6: Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and promotes even baking.
Step 7: Roll & Cut the Cookies
On a floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes, then carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spaced slightly apart.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until you see the edges just beginning to turn golden. This means they’re perfectly baked while maintaining softness in the center. Let them cool on the sheets for a few minutes before moving them to wire racks to cool completely.
How to Serve Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To add a touch of sparkle or an extra layer of sweetness, consider decorating your soft sugar cookies with colorful icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter. A thin layer of royal icing or a simple dusting of powdered sugar also looks stunning and complements the cookie’s soft texture beautifully.
Side Dishes
Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea or a glass of cold milk, which perfectly balance their sweetness. For festive occasions, serve alongside fresh fruit for a fresh contrast or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an elevated treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies in themed shapes on a pretty platter or stack them with parchment paper between layers for gift-giving. You can also tie bundles of cookies with colorful ribbons or package them in decorative tins to share your delicious creation with loved ones.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies keep best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Placing a slice of bread inside the container can help maintain their softness by keeping moisture balanced.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later or prepare batches ahead of time, you can freeze the cut dough shapes on a baking sheet before baking or freeze baked cookies. For dough, wrap tightly and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw before baking for best results.
Reheating
To refresh the softness of refrigerated or frozen baked cookies, warm them slightly in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This will reinvigorate their texture without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour for this Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe?
All-purpose flour works best for maintaining the balance of structure and tenderness in these cookies. Using whole wheat or gluten-free flour will change the texture and may require adjustments in liquid or mixing time.
How can I make my sugar cookies more flavorful without adding more sugar?
Adding extracts such as vanilla and almond, as in this recipe, or even citrus zest can boost flavor. Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can also add complexity without extra sweetness.
Why should I chill the dough before rolling it out?
Chilling solidifies the fat in the dough, making it easier to roll out and cut neat shapes. It also ensures the cookies don’t spread too much in the oven, preserving their soft yet defined edges.
What if my cookies spread too much and lose their shape?
Make sure your butter isn’t too warm and you chill the dough thoroughly before baking. Also, avoid overmixing, and use parchment paper on your baking sheets to prevent sticking and spreading.
Can I decorate these sugar cookies with icing and still keep them soft?
Absolutely! Use thin layers of royal or glaze icing and let the cookies dry completely. The softness remains because the icing hardens on top, giving you the best of both worlds—soft insides and beautiful finishes.
Final Thoughts
Making the Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe is nothing short of a joyful experience, from mixing the simple ingredients to cutting out playful shapes and sharing these soft, buttery delights with those you love. This recipe invites you to get creative, enjoy the process, and savor every melt-in-your-mouth bite. Trust me, these cookies will soon become one of your favorite go-to treats for every occasion!
Print
Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies are tender, buttery, and perfect for decorating or enjoying plain. With a subtle almond essence and classic vanilla flavor, they hold their shape beautifully and offer a delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture that suits any occasion, especially holidays or celebrations.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside to ensure even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step incorporates air for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Flavorings: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter and sugar mixture and mix until fully combined, ensuring uniform flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Take care not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, shape each half into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps prevent spreading and improves dough manageability.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Shape the Cookies: On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create shapes and transfer them carefully to the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake and Cool: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For best results, do not overmix the dough to maintain a soft texture.
- Chilling the dough is essential for easy handling and preventing cookie spreading during baking.
- You can decorate these cookies with royal icing, sprinkles, or sanding sugar after cooling.
- If the dough becomes too soft while working, chill it again to make rolling easier.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay fresh for up to one week.
