Description
These soft cutout sugar cookies are tender, buttery, and perfect for decorating. With a mildly sweet flavor and delightful texture, they are easy to make from scratch and ideal for holidays, parties, or any occasion that calls for a classic sugar cookie. The optional icing adds a glossy, colorful finish to make your cookies stand out.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (or reduce to ¼ teaspoon for a more 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
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add vanilla extract and almond extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms without overmixing.
- Divide and Roll Dough: Split the dough into two equal portions. Place each portion on lightly floured parchment paper or a silicone mat. Using a rolling pin dusted with flour, roll the dough evenly to about ¼-inch thickness. Use extra flour as needed if the dough is sticky.
- Chill Dough: Lightly dust the dough’s surface with flour, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours or overnight. This step firms up the dough and improves handling.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for non-stick baking.
- Cut Out Cookies: Remove one portion of chilled dough and use cookie cutters to cut desired shapes. Arrange cutouts 2-3 inches apart on prepared sheets.
- Re-roll and Chill Scraps: Re-roll leftover dough scraps to cut out additional cookies. Chill the cut-out cookies on the baking sheets in the fridge or freezer for at least 10 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes or until they are just lightly browned on the edges. The cookies should remain soft in the middle.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
- Prepare Icing (Optional): In a medium bowl, combine sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. Adjust thickness by adding milk teaspoon by teaspoon if too thick, or more powdered sugar if too thin. Tint with gel food coloring if desired.
- Decorate Cookies: Once completely cooled, pipe or spread icing over the cookies. Allow icing to set and firm up for a couple of hours before storing or serving.
Notes
- Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent spreading and to make handling easier when cutting shapes.
- If you do not have almond extract, you can omit it or substitute with another extract like lemon or maple for a different flavor note.
- Refrigerate the cut cookie dough scraps before baking to maintain cookie shape.
- For softer cookies, slightly reduce baking time; for crisper edges, bake a minute or two longer.
- The icing is optional but adds a lovely shine and flavor. Adjust milk and powdered sugar to get your preferred consistency.
- Store iced cookies in an airtight container once icing is fully set to keep them fresh.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: soft sugar cookies, cutout cookies, sugar cookie recipe, soft baked cookies, holiday cookies, decorated cookies
