Truly Tender Cutout Sugar Cookies
These truly tender cutout sugar cookies are perfect for any occasion. Made with a simple yet effective recipe, they result in soft, delicious cookies that hold their shape beautifully for decorating.
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer
- Separate medium bowl
- Plastic wrap
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (2 sticks), softened to room temperature
- 1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 Large Egg at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
Making the Dough
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg until just combined, then mix in vanilla extract until fully incorporated, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients on low speed, mixing until just combined and being careful not to overmix.
Chilling and Baking
- Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours until firm.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to ¼-inch thickness, cut shapes with cookie cutters, and transfer to prepared baking sheets.
- Bake one sheet at a time for 7-9 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers are set but still soft.
- Cool cookies on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Notes
For best results, ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. Do not overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies. Chilling the dough is essential for proper handling and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. Get creative with your cookie cutters for festive shapes!