🎉 Introduction
These Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are the ultimate sugar cookie dream — buttery, tender, and perfectly shaped every time. They hold their edges while baking, making them ideal for holiday cut-outs, birthdays, or any decorating project.
Unlike crisp sugar cookies, these bake up soft in the center and lightly golden on the edges, with a sweet, buttery vanilla-almond flavor that pairs beautifully with icing or frosting.
Whether you frost them with royal icing or simply dust them with powdered sugar, these cookies always turn out bakery-beautiful and melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
🧰 Equipment Needed
You’ll need:
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Cooling rack
🛒 Ingredients
Fresh Products
- 1 Whole egg
Dry & Flavoring Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups Granulated sugar
- 2 cups Powdered sugar (for icing or dusting)
- 1 1/8 tsp Almond extract
- 1 3/4 tsp Vanilla extract
Dairy
- 1 cup Salted butter, softened
- 3 tbsp Whole milk
👩🍳 Directions
step1:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
step2:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
step3:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes.
step4:
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the creamed butter mixture. Beat until smooth and creamy.
step5:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
step6:
If the dough feels dry, add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until it comes together smoothly.
step7:
Lightly flour your work surface. Roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
step8:
Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then transfer them carefully to the prepared baking sheets.
step9:
Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are just set and bottoms are barely golden. Do not overbake — these should stay soft!
step10:
Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Once completely cool, decorate with icing, sprinkles, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Makes: About 24–28 cookies
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Bake time: 10 minutes
- Cooling & decorating: 20 minutes
- Total time: ~45 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months.
- To refresh, warm in the microwave for 5 seconds before serving.
🥄 Variations
- Frosted Sugar Cookies: Top with royal icing or buttercream frosting.
- Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add 1 tsp lemon zest for a citrusy twist.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Holiday Edition: Add sprinkles or color icing for festive shapes.
- Extra Vanilla: Replace almond extract with an additional 1 tsp vanilla for a classic vanilla flavor.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. How do I keep cut-out cookies soft?
Don’t overbake and store them in an airtight container once cooled.
2. Why add milk?
It helps soften the dough and keeps cookies tender after baking.
3. Can I use unsalted butter?
Yes, just add 1/4 tsp extra salt to the dough.
4. Do I need to chill the dough?
Not required, but chilling for 20 minutes helps shapes hold better.
5. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — these freeze beautifully.
6. Can I use flavored extracts?
Yes! Try orange, coconut, or maple extract for fun twists.
7. Why are my cookies spreading?
Your butter may be too soft — chill the dough slightly before baking.
8. Can I use icing sugar in the dough?
Stick to granulated sugar in the dough for best texture; powdered sugar is for decorating.
9. Can I color the dough?
Yes — add a few drops of gel food coloring for themed cookies.
10. Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes — refrigerate up to 48 hours or freeze the dough for up to 2 months.
🏁 Conclusion
These Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are a holiday baking staple — buttery, sweet, and perfectly soft. Their smooth surface makes them ideal for decorating, and their light almond-vanilla flavor ensures they’re delicious even without icing.
Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or simply baking with the family — they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.
Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies – Tender, Buttery & Perfect for Decorating
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Ingredients
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Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
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Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the creamed butter mixture. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- If the dough feels dry, add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until it comes together smoothly.
- Lightly flour your work surface. Roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then transfer them carefully to the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are just set and bottoms are barely golden. Do not overbake — these should stay soft!
- Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Once completely cool, decorate with icing, sprinkles, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Notes
Don’t overbake and store them in an airtight container once cooled. 2. Why add milk?
It helps soften the dough and keeps cookies tender after baking. 3. Can I use unsalted butter?
Yes, just add 1/4 tsp extra salt to the dough. 4. Do I need to chill the dough?
Not required, but chilling for 20 minutes helps shapes hold better. 5. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — these freeze beautifully. 6. Can I use flavored extracts?
Yes! Try orange, coconut, or maple extract for fun twists. 7. Why are my cookies spreading?
Your butter may be too soft — chill the dough slightly before baking. 8. Can I use icing sugar in the dough?
Stick to granulated sugar in the dough for best texture; powdered sugar is for decorating. 9. Can I color the dough?
Yes — add a few drops of gel food coloring for themed cookies. 10. Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes — refrigerate up to 48 hours or freeze the dough for up to 2 months. 🏁 Conclusion These Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are a holiday baking staple — buttery, sweet, and perfectly soft. Their smooth surface makes them ideal for decorating, and their light almond-vanilla flavor ensures they’re delicious even without icing. Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or simply baking with the family — they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.
