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4.8 from 429 votes

Perfect Cut-out Sugar Cookies

These Cut-out Cookies are easy, keep their shape well after baking, and are tender and buttery. They are light in color even after baking, which makes them a great canvas for your decorating whims.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Servings: 48
Calories: 78 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 cup salted butter cold, cut into chunks
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp pure almond extract
Easy Cookie Icing, optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350, with rack on lower middle position. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. It's important to measure flour accurately; use the Scoop and Level Method to ensure proper measurement. Set aside.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix the sugar and butter on medium-high speed until mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes; use rubber spatula to scrape down sides as needed. Be sure to beat the full amount of time - it helps to set a timer. Add the egg and extracts and beat to fully incorporate.
  4. Switch to medium-low speed. Gradually add the flour mixture, gently mixing just until combined, stopping to scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl as needed. Do not over-mix.
  5. Use hands to work cookie dough into a smooth ball for rolling; if flour was measured accurately, texture will be similar to soft play-dough. It should not be sticky nor crumbly, but smooth and pliable. 
  6. Roll dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4" thick and cut into shapes. Place cookie shapes on baking sheet lined with parchment or silicone baking mat and freeze entire cookie sheet for 10 minutes, which helps retain shape when baking. (If you live in a cold region, you may even be able to place it outside. Otherwise, you can place in freezer in smaller batches if needed.)
  7. Transfer sheet of semi-frozen cookies straight into the preheated oven, 1 baking sheet at a time. Bake larger/thicker shapes (3-inch diameter or larger) for 9-11 minutes and smaller shapes 7-8 minutes.It's important to watch your first batch closely so you know how much time to bake your particular sized/shaped cookies. If they're baked too long, they'll be more likely to lose their shape. Cookies should be removed from oven when they seem slightly under-baked and pale. They will set upon cooling. 
  8. Let cool 3-4 minutes on baking sheet and use cookie spatula to transfer to a cooling rack. Let cookies cool completely before icing - we love this super easy icing.

Notes

  • Join our Free Recipe Club and get our newest, best recipes each week! 
  • Worth repeating: these cookies won't brown much, so be sure to take them out even when they look slightly under-baked and pale. As cookie shapes/sizes vary greatly depending on cookie cutters, watch your first batch of cookies carefully to become familiar with how long to bake your cookies without them losing their shape. 
  • It's extremely important to measure flour accurately; use this simple Scoop and Level method. 
  • These cookies are moderately sweet, as they're meant to be paired with icing/frosting. If you are enjoying them plain, add another 1/4 cup sugar.
  • Yield amount is roughly 48 cookies, but actual amount of cookies will vary depending on size of cookies/shapes.
  • If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating! We ❤️ hearing from you.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1g Calories 78kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 10mg (3%) Sodium 52mg (2%) Potassium 6mg (0%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 118IU (2%) Calcium 17mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 48Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 78

% Daily Value*

Serving 1g
Calories 78kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 52mg 2%
Potassium 6mg 0%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 118IU 2%
Calcium 17mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

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