Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a classic that truly hits the spot, let me introduce you to my Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies are my go-to for holidays, celebrations, or just when I need a little something sweet to brighten the day. They’re soft, tender, and hold their shapes beautifully—perfect for decorating or simply enjoying plain. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll wonder how you ever made sugar cookies any other way.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies Recipe lies in simple, quality ingredients that work together to create tender, flavorful cookies that hold their shape perfectly. Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature—that little detail makes a huge difference in texture.

• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, provides structure without making them tough.
• Baking powder: A pinch helps create a light, airy texture that’s soft and not dense.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Salted butter: Always use unsalted or salted butter? Here salted works great, but unsalted is perfectly fine if that’s what you have on hand.
• Granulated sugar: Gives just the right amount of sweetness and helps with tenderizing.
• Eggs: Binding agents that add moisture and richness. Room temp eggs blend better into the dough.
• Vanilla extract: Classic and essential for that warm cookie aroma.
• Almond extract: Adds a lovely subtle flavor twist – just a little goes a long way.
• Icing components (optional): Powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla to make smooth, glossy icing if you want to decorate.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether I’m gearing up for holidays or just mixing things up for the kids, a little tweak goes a long way.

• Gluten-free version: I’ve swapped in a gluten-free flour blend with great success — just be sure to add a bit of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it for better texture.
• Spiced twist: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg makes these cookies feel cozy and fall-inspired — perfect for afternoon tea.
• Alcohol-infused icing: Try adding a splash of bourbon or orange liqueur to your icing for an adult-friendly twist at your next gathering.
• Vegan adaptation: I recommend replacing butter with vegan margarine and using flax eggs — while this changes the texture slightly, it still yields soft, tasty cookies.

How to Make Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients and Cream Butter

Start by whisking together your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl—this ensures even distribution of the leaveners and flavor boosters. In another bowl, grab your mixer and cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This is where the magic begins—proper creaming traps air that makes the cookies tender.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Extracts

Next, add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps the eggs fully incorporate for a smooth, uniform dough. Then, pour in your vanilla and almond extracts. Almond extract may be subtle but trust me, it’s the secret to that unique soft sugar cookie flavor.

Step 3: Combine and Chill the Dough

Gradually mix in your dry flour mixture on low speed until you get a soft dough. Don’t overmix here—too much can make the cookies tough. Divide the dough into two equal portions and roll each between lightly floured parchment or silicone mats to about a ¼-inch thickness—this is key for soft, puffy cookies. Then cover and chill for at least 1-2 hours or overnight. Chilling helps the dough firm up and prevents spreading during baking, so don’t skip it.

Step 4: Cut and Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F, line your baking sheets, and get ready to cut shapes. Pull the dough from the fridge, dust lightly with flour if it’s sticky, and use your favorite cookie cutters. Arrange cookies 2-3 inches apart to give them room to bake evenly. Re-roll scraps but remember to chill the cut-out dough again on the baking sheets before baking—it helps keep your shapes sharp and your cookies from spreading. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges just start to turn golden but centers still look soft. They might feel underdone, but they firm up as they cool—trust me, I learned this the hard way testing this recipe!

Step 5: Optional Icing and Decorating

If you’re feeling fancy, mix up a simple icing with powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Adjust consistency by adding milk or more powdered sugar until it’s spreadable but not runny. Add gel food coloring for a pop of color, then pipe or spread on cooled cookies. Let the icing set for a couple of hours before storing or packaging. I find that the light corn syrup gives the icing a beautiful shine and prevents cracking.

How to Serve Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with a simple dusting of colored sanding sugar right after cutting for a quick sparkle, or going all out with royal icing and sprinkles for celebrations. Freshly made icing looks stunning with bright gel colors, and you can even add edible glitter for some festive fun.

Side Dishes

These soft cutout sugar cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of chai tea, coffee, or cold milk. For holiday gatherings, I like to serve them alongside other baked goodies like brownies or gingerbread for a sweet variety platter.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking them in a cookie tower with layers of parchment or wax paper between, or arrange on a festive plate tied with a ribbon. For kids’ parties, I’ve made cookie decorating stations with plain iced cookies, extra sprinkles, and piping bags—it’s always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering parchment between so they don’t stick. They stay soft and delicious for up to a week—perfect for snacking or gifting.

Freezing

One trick I’ve learned is to freeze both the dough and the baked cookies with great success. Dough discs freeze up to a month—just thaw overnight in the fridge before cutting and baking. Baked cookies freeze well for up to two months if wrapped tightly, so you can always have some ready to go for last-minute needs.

Reheating

When I want to freshen up frozen baked cookies, I just pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes—it helps restore softness and melds the icing nicely. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them tough or melt the icing unevenly.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies Recipe consistently delivers soft, flavorful cookies that bring smiles every time. Whether you’re baking with kids, prepping for a party, or treating yourself, these cookies feel like a warm hug in every bite. Give them a try—you’ll be so glad you did, and I’m betting these become a staple in your recipe collection, too!

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