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Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

The most amazing sugar cookies that truly hold their shape!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 251 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter cold
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla bean paste vanilla extract can be substituted
  • 3 - 4 cups all-purpose flour (this will vary from kitchen to kitchen)
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch make sure NOT to use corn meal, as this will result in dry, hard cookies
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. To the bowl of a stand mixer, add butter and sugar and beat on MED speed until smooth and well combined. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, until combined. Add vanilla and mix.
  3. To a mixing bowl, add dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch and salt), and whisk to combine. Add the flour mixture, starting with 3 cups, and mix on MED LOW speed.
  4. Let mix for 3-5 minutes, and you'll see the dough go from a crumbly mess to pulling itself into a ball that pulls away from the sides of the mixer bowl.
  5. Turn out the dough onto work surface and roll dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Flouring the work surface and rolling pin is helpful, as is rolling dough out between 2 pieces of wax or parchment paper.
  6. Cut into shapes and place cut out dough pieces on prepared baking sheets. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  7. While dough is chilling, preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
  8. Bake cookies for 9-11 minutes, or until edges appear set. Cookies won't be golden on the top.
  9. Remove from oven and let cookies sit on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack and cool completely.
  10. Decorate if desired.

Notes

  • NO CHILLING OPTION
  • I find I get the best results when combining the cold butter with the short 15 minute chill time, but if you prefer to not chill at all, you can do that.
  • Please take care to check that you're using cornstarch (here in the US, this is what I'm referring to https://www.meijer.com/shopping/product/argo-corn-starch-100-pure-16-oz-/76172007104.html), not corn flour or corn meal. Those won't work in this recipe at all.
  • For a great Royal Icing recipe, check out this detailed post.
  • Flour amount varies due to humidity.  Start with 3 cups and add flour mixture 1/4 cup at a time, until you see the dough ball up and pull away from the sides of the mixer bowl.
  • For reference, I normally use 3 1/2 cups of the flour mixture.
  • Make sure the butter you're using is extremely cold, and work quickly so it doesn't soften on you.
  • If possible, chill your rolling pin, so it'll keep the dough cold as you're rolling it.

Nutrition Information

Calories 251kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 39g (13%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 38mg (13%) Sodium 57mg (2%) Potassium 48mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 262IU (5%) Calcium 10mg (1%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 251

% Daily Value*

Calories 251kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 39g 13%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 38mg 13%
Sodium 57mg 2%
Potassium 48mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 262IU 5%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.