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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Cookies

    Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

    Published: Dec 7, 2021 · Modified: Dec 15, 2022 by Ang Paris · Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links·

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    This is the perfect sugar cookie recipe to use for making cut-out cookies any time of year!
    Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe Add to Favorites Go to Collections Print Recipe
    This recipe for Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies is simple, delicious, and the only recipe you'll need any time of the year. It's the perfect basic recipe for beginners. via @jugglingactmamaThis recipe for Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies is simple, delicious, and the only recipe you'll need any time of the year. It's the perfect basic recipe for beginners. via @jugglingactmamaThis recipe for Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies is simple, delicious, and the only recipe you'll need any time of the year. It's the perfect basic recipe for beginners. via @jugglingactmamaThis recipe for Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies is simple, delicious, and the only recipe you'll need any time of the year. It's the perfect basic recipe for beginners. via @jugglingactmamaThis recipe for Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies is simple, delicious, and the only recipe you'll need any time of the year. It's the perfect basic recipe for beginners. via @jugglingactmamaThis recipe for Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies is simple, delicious, and the only recipe you'll need any time of the year. It's the perfect basic recipe for beginners. via @jugglingactmamaThis recipe for Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies is simple, delicious, and the only recipe you'll need any time of the year. It's the perfect basic recipe for beginners. via @jugglingactmamaThis recipe for Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies is simple, delicious, and the only recipe you'll need any time of the year. It's the perfect basic recipe for beginners. via @jugglingactmama

    These quick and easy sugar cookies are the basic recipe you've been looking for! They are the perfect cookie recipe to make for holidays, birthdays, or any other special occasion. They also make beautiful Ornament Sugar Cookies for your tree.

    A stack of cut out sugar cookies in front of a cooling rack and cookie cutters.
    Jump to:
    • 🧂 Ingredients
    • 🔪Instructions
    • Equipment
    • ⏲️ Storage
    • ⭐ Tips
    • 💭 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🍴 Serving Suggestions
    • 🔗 Webstory
    • 😋 Similar Recipes
    • 📋 Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies
    • Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, and not just because I love baking during the holidays! Growing up, we enjoyed classic sugar cookies as a holiday staple, and this is why I wanted to share my basic sugar cookie recipe with you all!

    This soft and chewy sugar cookie recipe works great for any Christmas cookies and can be frosted or used with cookie cutters to make a different cookie for any season or occasion.

    One of my favorite ways to use this recipe is when making Ornament Cookies. They make beautiful decorations and a delicious treat.

    Ingredients to make Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies.

    🧂 Ingredients

    • unsalted butter
    • all-purpose flour
    • granulated sugar
    • baking powder
    • salt
    • eggs
    • vanilla extract

    This is meant to be a brief overview of how to make cutout cookies for any occasion. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.

    🔪Instructions

    1. Start by combining the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Use a whisk to mix them together, then set aside.
    2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy.
    3. Next, add the room temperature eggs and pure vanilla extract.
    4. Gently mix the flour mixture into the wet ingredients a little at a time, taking care to scrape the bowl, until the dough just comes together. Do not over mix.
    5. Divide the dough in half and shape into a rectangle.
    6. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 45 minutes.
    7. After that remove the dough from the freezer and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
    8. Then, unwrap one section of the dough and place it between two pieces of non-stick parchment paper.
    9. Use a rolling pin to roll dough out to ⅛ inch thickness.
    10. Next, use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
    11. Place the shapes onto an ungreased baking tray and bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. (Smaller cookies will need less time and larger cookies may need more time).
    12. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the tray for 2 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
    13. Once the cookies are totally cool, decorate them as desired.

    Equipment

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    • Measuring Spoons and Dry Measuring Cups
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Stand Mixer or hand mixer
    • Parchment Paper and Baking Sheets
    • Cookie Cutters

    Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of great products to make your life easier! Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama ❤

    ⏲️ Storage

    To Make Ahead: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it into a zip-top bag. Refrigerate for three to five days before baking.

    To Freeze: Cookie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. Be sure to label the contents and include the baking instructions.

    To Thaw: Allow cookie dough to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

    To Store: Baked cookies should be stored in an airtight container or bag and will stay fresh for about one week. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)

    ⭐ Tips

    Here are some for making the best sugar cookies:

    ✔️Start with room temperature eggs which makes it easier to incorporate evenly in the cookie dough.

    ✔️Whether you opt for vanilla or another flavor, always use good-quality pure extracts rather than imitation.

    ✔️Do not skip the chill time!

    ✔️Take care not to overmix the dough and don't add extra flour when rolling out the dough. Both of these things will cause the cookies to be tough and dry.

    💭 Frequently Asked Questions

    Here are some questions (and answers!) readers often ask about this cut-out sugar cookie recipe:

    What is the difference between cut out sugar cookies and drop sugar cookies?

    The main difference is that cut out sugar cookies are rolled out between parchment paper and cut into shapes using cookie cutters. Drop cookies, on the other hand, are made by rolling balls of dough which bake into circular-shaped cookies.

    Should you chill sugar cookie dough?

    Yes! By chilling the dough, it gives it a chance to 'relax.' The chilling process also allows the fat (butter) in the cookies to solidify. The result is a tender cookie that doesn't spread when baked.

    Can I use wax paper to roll out cookie dough?

    Yes! Since adding extra flour to roll out cookie dough will make your cookies tough, it's best to place it between sheets of non-stick parchment or waxed paper.

    How thick should cookie dough be for cookie cutters?

    Between ⅛" to ⅜" is the ideal thickness for cut out sugar cookies.
    The thicker the dough, the softer the cookie. Keep in mind however that it can be difficult to get the bake just right on a thicker cookie.

    How early can you make sugar cookies?

    Baked sugar cookies will last in an airtight container for up to one week.

    Dough on a butcher block counter top being cut with cookie cutters.

    📖 Variations

    We recommend that you try our soft sugar cookies for the first time just as it is written for the best results because that is how the recipe has been tested.

    However, the next time you make it, you might consider one of these different ways of making this great recipe.

    • Add a few drops of food coloring into the cookie dough before baking for different color cookies.
    • Change the extract from vanilla to orange, lemon, or even coconut. You can also use almond extract or peppermint extract but use half as much as those tend to be very potent.

    🍴 Serving Suggestions

    Whether you use traditional buttercream frosting or go for this super easy royal icing recipe.

    There's no wrong way to decorate your cut-out sugar cookies! Add sprinkles or small candies, pipe on different colored icing, whatever your heart desires.

    • Woman decorating cookies with pink royal icing.
      Easy Vegan Royal Icing Recipe
    • close up of mixer with cream cheese frosting
      Best Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
    • Chocolate Toffee Chip Frosting from Juggling Act Mama as seen on Lady Behind the Curtain
      Chocolate Toffee Chip Frosting
    • Mom's Buttercream Frosting

    🔗 Webstory

    EASY CUT OUT SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE STORY

    😋 Similar Recipes

    These soft cookies make a great addition to your Christmas cookie tray! You will also love these great cookie recipes:

    • Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies - your sweetheart would love a dozen of these!
    • Sugar Pinwheel Cookies - these cookies look impressive, but they're so easy.
    • Ornament Cookies - festive decor and a delicious snack.
    • Close up of red, white, and blue Pinwheel Cookies on a platter.
      Sugar Pinwheel Cookies
    • Close up of a Carrot cookie on a burlap square.
      Carrot Cookie Recipe
    • Close up of Poppy Seed Lemon Linzer cookie.
      Linzer Cookies - Poppy Seed Lemon
    • Close up of Valentine's Day Oatmeal Monster Cookies.
      Monster Cookies Recipe for Valentine's Day

    📋 Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies

    Not ready to make our best sugar cookie recipe yet? Don’t forget to pin the recipe for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures! And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!

    Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe

    This is the perfect sugar cookie recipe to use for making cut-out cookies any time of year!
    Add to Your Recipe BoxGo to Collections
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Chill: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24 cookies
    Calories: 301kcal
    Author: Ang Paris

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Equipment

    • Measuring Spoons
    • Dry Measuring Cups
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Stand Mixer
    • Parchment Paper
    • Baking Sheet
    • Cookie Cutters

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb unsalted butter
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 5-6 cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract OR vanilla bean extract

    Instructions

    • Start by combing the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Use a whisk to mix them together, then set aside.
      5-6 cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy.
      1 lb unsalted butter, 2 cups granulated sugar
    • Next, add the room temperature eggs and pure vanilla extract.
      2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract OR vanilla bean extract
    • Gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients a little at a time until the dough just comes together. Do not over mix.
    • Divide the dough in half and shape into a rectangle.
    • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 45-minutes.
    • After that remove the dough from the freezer and preheat the oven to 375-degrees F.
    • Then, unwrap one section of the dough and place it between two pieces of non-stick parchment paper.
    • Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to ⅛" thickness.
    • Next, use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
    • Place the shapes onto an ungreased baking tray and bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. (Smaller cookies will need less time and larger cookies may need more time).
    • Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the tray for 2 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
    • Once the cookies are totally cool, decorate them as desired.

    Notes

    This recipe makes approximately 24 cookies, but the actual cookie count will vary depending on the size and cookie shapes.
    Nutrition will also vary due to this and any sugar cookie frosting or other decorations used.

    For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 57mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 492IU | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
    Please Note: I am not a registered dietician. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
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    Welcome! I'm Ang - the Juggling Act Mama! I love sharing quick and easy recipes, creative DIY projects, and fun family travel with you. Like many of you, I am a multi-tasking mama juggling priorities which is why here I offer solutions to tame your hectic lifestyle.

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