If you’re searching for Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies that bake up buttery, plush, and ready for the most magical decorating session, you’ve landed in the right place. These cookies hold their shape perfectly—no stubborn spreading here—and every bite is tender with just the right hint of vanilla and (if you wish) almond. Whether it’s for the holidays, a birthday, or simply because you need a little sweetness on a plain weekday, these delightful treats are always a joy to make and share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe proves that you don’t need a pantry full of fancy ingredients to create truly show-stopping Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies. Each simple staple plays a starring role in the cookies’ tender crumb, inviting flavor, and lovely golden color.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Soft butter makes for easy creaming and ensures your cookies turn out ultra-light and rich.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and helps create a delicate, slightly crisp edge.
- Large egg (1): Binds the dough while adding a touch of extra moisture and structure.
- Vanilla extract (1 1/2 teaspoons): This classic adds warm, cozy flavor to every batch.
- Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon, optional): For a subtle, bakery-style twist that’s especially nice for special occasions.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The heart of your cookies—enough to roll and cut without making them dense.
- Baking powder (3/4 teaspoon): Delivers gentle lift, so your cookies don’t lose their shape.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Essential for balancing flavors and highlighting sweetness.
- Flour for rolling: Keeps dough from sticking and helps achieve smooth, clean shapes.
- Royal icing or buttercream (for decorating, optional): The fun part—color and sweeten your cookies to fit any season or mood.
How to Make Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Start by placing your softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat them together until they look pale and fluffy—this is key for those melt-in-your-mouth Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies. The more you whip, the lighter your cookies will be in texture!
Step 2: Add Egg and Extracts
Crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract (and almond, if you like a subtle “bakery fresh” flavor). Mix until everything is silky-smooth and fragrant—you’ll notice the batter goes from dense to creamy, which means it’s ready for dry ingredients.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavener and keep clumps at bay. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, blending just until you see a soft, cohesive dough form. No need to overmix; just enough so everything comes together nicely.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Split your dough into two halves—this makes rolling easier later. Flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least one hour. Don’t skip this step! Chilled dough makes Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies hold their shapes and roll out without sticking.
Step 5: Cut and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each disc of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Dust your favorite cookie cutters with a little flour, cut out your shapes, and place them a bit apart on the baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes—just until edges are set but not getting golden. They should look soft and almost underdone; that’s how you know they’ll stay pillowy!
Step 6: Cool and Decorate
Let the cookies chill for 5 minutes on the baking sheets before moving them to a wire rack. Once completely cool, unleash your creativity with royal icing or a swipe of rich buttercream if you’d like—these Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies are the perfect edible canvas!
How to Serve Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
For an extra festive flair, sprinkle your freshly decorated cookies with vibrant sanding sugars, nonpareils, or delicate edible glitter while the icing is still wet. Even a simple dusting of powdered sugar adds a dreamy, snowy effect to finished Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies.
Side Dishes
No cookie platter is complete without a warm mug of cocoa, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or a handful of fresh berries on the side. Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies slip beautifully alongside afternoon tea or as a sweet finish to brunch with your family.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack these cookies in clear jars, box them up as heartfelt gifts, or thread ribbons through the tops for edible ornaments. Arrange Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies in a colorful pattern on a large platter for a cheerful party centerpiece, or let little hands help decorate and serve them at a baking party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies fresh by placing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days, ready for snacking, sharing, or sneaky late-night nibbling.
Freezing
To freeze, place undecorated cookies or dough discs between layers of parchment in a freezer bag or container. Whether you freeze before baking or after, Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies keep beautifully for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving or decorating.
Reheating
While these cookies are perfectly tender at room temp, you can quickly revive them by warming in a 275°F oven for 2-3 minutes. This brings back the fresh-baked scent and a hint of just-baked tenderness, especially if they’ve been stored for a few days.
FAQs
How do I keep my sugar cookies from spreading?
Always chill the dough as directed before rolling and cutting, and make sure your butter isn’t too soft. This combination keeps Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies crisp at the edges and perfectly defined in shape.
Can I double this recipe for a big batch?
Absolutely! Simply double all ingredients and be sure to divide the dough into more discs for chilling. Bake in batches, and rotate your baking sheets if your oven isn’t quite large enough for all the cookies at once.
Is almond extract essential?
Nope, it’s completely optional. Almond extract brings a subtle, marzipan-like finish, but if you prefer pure vanilla or want to avoid nuts, skip it and your Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies will still be delightful.
Can I decorate with royal icing and have them stackable?
You can! Allow royal icing decorations to set fully (it may take several hours), and then stack the cookies between sheets of parchment in an airtight container. This way, your gorgeous designs stay pristine.
Can kids help with this recipe?
Definitely. Little hands can help roll, cut shapes, and, of course, decorate. This is one of the best family-friendly projects—and the dough is forgiving enough to hold up to enthusiastic helpers!
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about baking Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies—the way the dough comes together, the aroma that fills the kitchen, and the joy of decorating and sharing. However you shape or dress them up, these cookies have a way of bringing out big smiles. I hope you give this recipe a try and make it part of your own sweet traditions.
Print
Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes plus chilling
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes including chill time
- Yield: 24 cookies depending on cutter size
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies are perfect for any occasion, from holidays to everyday treats. They are tender, buttery, and easy to customize with your favorite decorations.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional:
- Flour for rolling
- Royal icing or buttercream for decorating (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat and Roll: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut and Bake: Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, place on baking sheets, and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Decorate with icing or buttercream as desired.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for easy rolling and clean cut shapes.
- For extra soft cookies, avoid overbaking; cookies should appear slightly underdone when taken out of the oven.
- Undecorated cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
