Description
This Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe delivers classic, tender sugar cookies perfect for rolling out and cutting into festive shapes. The dough is enriched with butter and flavored with vanilla and optional almond extract, making it ideal for decorating with royal icing or buttercream frosting for holidays and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 half teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 half teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later incorporation into the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a tender cookie texture.
- Add Flavors and Egg: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until fully combined, ensuring the dough is well-flavored and homogeneous.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the prepared dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until a smooth cookie dough forms with no streaks of flour.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough in half and flatten each into a disc. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough and help it hold shape when cut.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Roll the chilled dough out on a lightly floured surface to about one quarter inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes and transfer the cookies to the baking sheets, spacing them about one inch apart.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are set but not browned, ensuring a tender crumb without overbaking.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and allows them to firm up for decorating.
Notes
- For best results, chill the dough thoroughly before cutting to help the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- These cookies are excellent for decorating with royal icing or buttercream frosting for special occasions and holidays.
