Description
Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies are buttery, soft, and ideal for decorating. This easy recipe makes cookies that hold their shape and taste amazing.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup salted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (or ¼ tsp for subtle flavor)
Icing (Optional):
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3–4 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Gel food coloring, optional
Instructions
- Prep the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and extracts: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
- Form the dough: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- Divide and roll: Split the dough into two equal parts. Place each on lightly floured parchment paper or silicone mats and roll to ¼-inch thickness. Lightly dust the tops with flour, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 1–2 hours or overnight.
- Cut and bake: Preheat oven to 375°F. Use cookie cutters to shape the chilled dough. Space the cookies 2–3 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment. Chill again for 10 minutes, then bake for 8–10 minutes until just lightly golden. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Decorate (optional): Combine icing ingredients until smooth. Modify the consistency by gradually adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed. Color with gel food coloring if desired. Pipe or spread icing on fully cooled cookies and let set completely.
Notes
This recipe makes about 36 small cookies. For larger batches, double the ingredients. Dough and baked cookies freeze well. Let icing dry fully before storing or stacking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (without icing)
- Calories: 94 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Protein: 1g