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Home » Course » Dessert » The Best Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe

Published: Dec 4, 2019 · Modified: Dec 2, 2022 by Veronika's Kitchen * This post may contain affiliate links

The Best Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe

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Learn how to make Cut Out Sugar Cookies that are crispy outside and soft inside! This foolproof recipe is so easy to make, so you will have the best cookies that hold their shape for decoration with sugar icing. Perfect for Christmas cookie exchange party and the holiday season!

Cut out sugar cookies on a wire rack.

If you are looking for a foolproof recipe to make holiday biscuits, you need to try these cut out sugar cookies! They come out perfectly crispy outside and still soft inside. The best part, they hold their shape while baking, so you can easily decorate them with sugar icing.

This is the base cookie recipe I used in my popular Twix Cookies and Donut Cookies. For the Halloween Cookies, the recipe base is the same, but I added cocoa powder to make them chocolate.

Separate ingredients to make cut out sugar cookies.

Ingredients and Substitution:

  • Butter. Use room temperature butter, so it will be easier to incorporate it with sugar. That will help the cookies to stay soft and light.
  • Granulated sugar. To get the best results, you need to beat butter with sugar for about 5 minutes, until the sugar almost “melts” in butter and the mixture is light and airy.
  • Egg. Eggs, like butter, should be room temperature for better blending.
  • Vanilla Extract. A touch of good quality vanilla extract makes a bit difference and elevates the flavor.
  • All-purpose four. It is important to measure the flour correctly. If you put too much flour, the biscuits will come out dry and tough. To do so, scoop the flour into a measuring cup (do not pack!) and scrape with the back of the butter knife across the top to level it.
  • Baking powder. It helps to keep the biscuits soft and light.
  • Salt. This is an important ingredient in any dessert as it helps to balance the sweetness and flavors.
Cut out sugar cookies on a wire rack.

How to make Sugar Cookie Dough

Using a stand or hand mixer, beat 1 cup room temperature butter and ¾ cup granulated sugar in a mixing bowl on high speed for about 5 minutes until its light and fluffy.

Process photos of beating butter and sugar in a stand mixer.

Then add an egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract and beat again for 1-2 minutes or until well incorporated.

Process photos of adding an egg and vanilla extract to cookie dough.

Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula a couple of times in-between of mixing, so all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

In a separate mixing bowl, add dry ingredients (3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt). Whisk and add to the wet ingredients in two steps. Mix on a low speed until well combined.

Process photos of adding dry ingredients to the cookie dough.

When done, slightly knead the dough with your hands, making a ball. Flatten it into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours or overnight.

Cookie dough in a mixing bowl and wrapped cookie dough in a plastic wrap.

How long to chill Cookie Dough

It is vital to refrigerate the cookie dough for these two reasons:

  1. After the dough is chilled, it will be less sticky and more elastic. Which means it will be easier to roll it out.
  2. When you bake the cookies, they will keep the shape and won’t spread.

How to roll out Cookie Dough

Here is a trick that I use all the time when rolling out the sugar cookies.

Cut the dough in 4 equal pieces. Place one part of the dough in-between of two parchment papers. Then roll it out with a rolling pin. This way the parchment paper will keep the dough smooth and won’t stick.

Now you can take the cookie cutters of your choice and cut out the cookies.

NOTE: I usually roll out the cookies to ¼ inch thick. If you want your cookies crispier and to snap, you can roll them out thinner. And if you want them to be cakier, keep them thicker.

Process photos of cutting out cookies on a rolled dough.

How to bake Sugar Cookies

After you cut out the cookies, place them on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

NOTE: I like to put it back to the fridge for 10 minutes before baking. The reason I do is because while you are working the dough it warms up. Chilled dough will help your cookies to keep their shape.

I usually make my cookies ¼ -inch thick and bake at 350°F for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden and the tops are just set but still soft.

When done, take the cookies out of the oven and let them sit on the counter on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool off completely.

Star shaped cookies on a baking sheet before and after baking.

How to store

How to store baked cookies. You can keep them in an air-tight container on the countertop for about one week.

How to freeze baked cookies. When they are completely cooled off, transfer to an air-tight freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to one month.

How to freeze cookie dough. After you make the dough and put it into a dish shape, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then with foil, so the air won’t get inside. You can freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just take it out of the freezer and let it warm up on the counter for about 30 minutes before rolling out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to prevent cut out sugar cookies from spreading?

Refrigerating the dough will help to keep it’s shape. First, refrigerate it for at least 1-2 hours after the dough is made. Then, after you roll it out and cut out the cookies, place them on a baking sheet and refrigerate again before baking.

Why are my cookies hard and dry?

Most likely you put too much flour or overbaked them. Make sue you correctly measure the flour (I talk about it in “Ingredients and Substitution” section). Also, when you bake the cookies, the edges should be lightly golden and the tops are just set but still soft. They will continue to set while cooling off.

How to decorate cut out sugar cookies?

You can decorate them with simple sugar icing that I use for my Donut Sugar Cookies. You can also top them with some holiday season sprinkles.

Cut out sugar cookies on a wire rack.

MORE COOKIE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

  • Twix Cookies
  • Chocolate Chunk Cookies
  • Almond Spritz Cookies
  • Orange Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
  • Halloween Cookies
  • Donut Cookies
  • Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies
  • Oatmeal Cookies with Cranberries and White Chocolate
  • Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Brownie Cookies
  • Orange Cranberry Biscotti

MORE DESSERT RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

  • Homemade Caramel Sauce
  • Chocolate Bourbon Truffles
  • Orange Pound Cake
  • Chocolate Mousse Pie
  • One Bowl Brownies
  • Mini Cheesecakes with Blueberry Sauce
  • Classic Apple Pie
  • Mini Blueberry Hand Pies
Cut out sugar cookies on a wire rack.
Print Recipe
5 from 9 votes

The Best Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe

Learn how to make Cut Out Sugar Cookies that are crispy outside and soft inside! This foolproof recipe is so easy to make, so you will have the best cookies that hold their shape for decoration with sugar icing. Perfect for Christmas cookie exchange party and the holiday season!
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time40 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 30 cookies
Calories: 122kcal
Author: Veronika’s Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Using a stand or hand mixer, beat 1 cup room temperature butter and ¾ cup granulated sugar in a mixing bowl on high speed for about 5 minutes until its light and fluffy.
  • Then add an egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract and beat again for 1-2 minutes or until well incorporated.
  • Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula a couple of times in-between of mixing, so all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, add dry ingredients (3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt). Whisk and add to the wet ingredients in two steps. Mix on a low speed until well combined.
  • When done, slightly knead the dough with your hands, making a ball. Flatten it into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours or overnight.
  • When you roll out the dough it might be a bit sticky. You can use a little bit of flour to prevent it from sticking to a roller or a counter. However, I have a different trick that always helps me. Put the dough between two sheets of parchment paper, then roll over the parchment paper about ¼-inch thick.
  • Cut out cookies with your favorite cookie cutter.
  • After you cut out the cookies and put them on the baking sheet, put the sheet with the cookies back in the fridge for 10 minutes to chill.
  • Bake the cookies at 350°F for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden and the tops are just set but still soft.
  • When done, take the cookies out of the oven and let them sit on the counter on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool off completely.

Notes

NOTE 1: The cookie dough for this recipe is thick and will be crumbly after you refrigerate it. Before you start rolling out the cookies, leave the dough on the counter for about 10-20 minutes, then roll. When you work with the dough, it will warm up and will be more elastic.
NOTE 2: I usually roll out the cookies to ¼ inch thick. If you want your cookies crispier and to snap, you can roll them out thinner. And if you want them to be cakier, keep them thicker.
NOTE 3: After you cut out the cookies and put them on the baking sheet, I like to put it back to the fridge for 10 minutes before baking. The reason I do is because while you are working the dough it warms up. Chilled dough will help your cookies to keep their shape.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 122kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 197IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @veronikaskitchen.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Beatriz Chung says

    December 25, 2022 at 8:35 am

    Perfect sugar cookie recipe! Good taste and the best thing was the cookies kept their shape when they baked.

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      January 01, 2023 at 5:15 pm

      Thank you so much, Beatriz! I’m glad you liked them 😉

      Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    November 19, 2022 at 7:53 pm

    Hi Veronika, thank you for the recipe and tips … it’s my first time making cookies from scratch like this… so maybe silly question, but do you put any oil on the cookie sheet so the cookies don’t stick while baking?

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      December 19, 2022 at 5:00 pm

      Hi Jennifer, you can just line the baking sheet with parchment paper, so the cookies don’t stick.

      Reply
  3. Summayyah says

    July 09, 2022 at 7:33 am

    5 stars
    Hi, i was wondering if we have immediately cut out the shapes after the dough is complete, without the 1-2hrs in the fridge. Do you think it’ll be ok still?

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      July 12, 2022 at 1:39 pm

      Hi Summayyah! It’s always better to refrigerate cut out cookie dough before you roll it out, so it will will keep the shape while baking.

      Reply
  4. Maria says

    December 19, 2021 at 3:18 pm

    5 stars
    Best sugar cookies I ever made! Big thank you for the recipe and tips!

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      December 22, 2021 at 12:47 pm

      Thank you so much, Maria! I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply
  5. Heidy says

    December 06, 2020 at 10:36 pm

    5 stars
    These sugar cookies were off the chain delicious! My kids loved them, and so did my coworkers. I enjoyed seeing the smiles on their faces. I will be adding this recipe to our *Keep* file! Excellent instructions and tips! Happy Holidays to you and your family.
    Heidy

    Reply
  6. Moop Brown says

    December 06, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    5 stars
    These cookies look like the perfect shape and texture. I love recipes like these that help get me into the holiday spirit

    Reply
  7. Marisa F. Stewart says

    December 06, 2020 at 11:48 am

    5 stars
    My sugar cookies turned out perfectly with your recipe and instructions. Sometimes my cookies would spread out too much or be too brown. These cookies did not and now I’m waiting to decorate them. The cookies have such a nice delicate taste. This will be my sugar cookie recipe.

    Reply
  8. Anna says

    December 06, 2020 at 7:17 am

    5 stars
    I finally found the recipe for sugar cookies that works! Your instructions and photos were a great help, the cookies came out beautiful, with a lovely snap and delicious flavour to them! Thank you!

    Reply
  9. Veronika Sykorova says

    December 03, 2020 at 11:29 pm

    Love that you include step by step photos! 🙂 Sugar cookies are such a classic, I need to start baking for the holidays, so excited!

    Reply
  10. Aleta says

    December 02, 2020 at 10:35 am

    5 stars
    One of my favourite things to do with my girls around the holidays is to bake with them. Sugar cookies are SO fun because they can cut out the cookies all by themselves. Thanks for the great recipe, and an hour of fun with my little ones 🙂

    Reply
  11. Bernice Hill says

    November 30, 2020 at 10:29 pm

    5 stars
    I ALWAYS have issues with my sugar cookies puffing up! I’m going to use your recipe this year and follow the helpful hints too. Saving for later!

    Reply
  12. FOODHEAL says

    November 30, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    My girl has been looking for something we can bake and decorate. We are making these cookies this coming weekend.

    Reply
  13. Candice says

    November 30, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    5 stars
    I was looking for a recipe for cookies we could decorate and these came out great! They held shape really well, rolled out easily, and cut out easily.The perfect sugar cookie for this time of year…. will be making this one again!

    Reply

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