Description
Sweet, buttery Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies invite bakers into a world of delightful holiday memories. Crisp edges, tender centers, and delicate royal icing create a nostalgic treat you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups (330 grams) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (170 grams) salted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Icing Ingredients:
- 3 cups (360 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
- 3–4 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of dry ingredients.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until achieving a light, airy texture. Incorporate eggs individually, then blend in vanilla and almond extracts thoroughly.
- Slowly fold flour mixture into butter base, gently mixing until a cohesive, soft dough develops without overmixing.
- Separate dough into two equal portions. Carefully roll each section on floured parchment paper, maintaining a consistent 1/4-inch thickness.
- Encase rolled dough in plastic wrap, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight to enhance flavor and texture.
- Remove chilled dough and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Arrange cutouts 2-3 inches apart on lined baking sheets.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes until edges turn delicately golden. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.
- Prepare icing by whisking powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla until smooth and spreadable. Optional: Add food coloring for decorative touch.
Notes
- Swap extracts for a flavor twist by using different combinations like lemon, orange, or coconut to customize the cookie profile.
- Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smoother creaming and better cookie texture, preventing dense or tough results.
- Prevent spreading by chilling dough thoroughly and using parchment paper, which helps maintain precise cookie shapes during baking.
- roll thinner for crisp cookies or thicker for softer, more cake-like texture without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg