Delightful Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

$- 3 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt When measuring flour, spoon it into the cup. Then, level it off with a knife. This helps avoid too much flour, which makes cookies dry. Use room temperature butter for easy mixing. It should feel soft but not melted. The baking soda and powder help the cookies rise, so don't skip those. - Colored sprinkles - Edible glitter Decorating is fun and adds a personal touch. Sprinkles and glitter can make your cookies pop. You can add these before baking for a festive look. {{ingredient_image_2}} First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature helps the cookies bake evenly. While the oven heats, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This step makes cleanup easy and ensures the cookies don't stick. In a medium bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Add 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt to the mix. Whisk these dry ingredients together well, then set the bowl aside. Next, use a large mixing bowl to cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes. The mixture should become light and fluffy. This step is key for soft cookies. Now, add 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the butter-sugar mix. Mix on low speed until fully combined. This ensures a smooth, tasty dough. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, which we want to avoid. Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disk, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape while baking. After chilling, remove one disk from the fridge. On a lightly floured surface, roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Transfer the cut-out cookies onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If you want, sprinkle colored sprinkles or edible glitter on top for fun. Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them! Look for a light golden color at the edges. The centers may look soft, but they will firm up as they cool. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step keeps them soft and delicious. Enjoy your sweet creations! To get soft cut-out sugar cookies, focus on the creaming step. Cream the butter and sugar for 3-4 minutes. This helps add air to the dough. Use room-temperature butter. Cold butter will not blend well and can make the cookies tough. Also, avoid overmixing when you add the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined. This keeps your cookies soft. Get creative with decorations! Use royal icing for a smooth finish. You can also use melted chocolate for a fun drizzle. If you want a pop of color, add colored sprinkles or edible glitter. Sprinkle them on before baking for added flair. For a special touch, use cookie cutters in various shapes. This makes your cookies perfect for any occasion. Invest in good-quality cookie cutters. They come in many shapes and sizes. A rolling pin is a must-have too. Use one with adjustable thickness guides for even rolling. Don't forget parchment paper for your baking sheets. It helps cookies bake evenly and makes cleanup easy. A wire rack is also important for cooling your cookies properly. Pro Tips Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for maintaining the shape of your cookies. It helps the butter solidify, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. Use Quality Extracts: For the best flavor, use pure vanilla and almond extracts instead of imitation ones. This will enhance the overall taste of your cookies. Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. Pull them out when the edges are just starting to turn golden, and the centers look soft; they will firm up as they cool. Experiment with Shapes: Use a variety of cookie cutters to create fun shapes, making your cookie platter visually appealing. You can even mix and match shapes for different occasions! {{image_4}} You can easily change the flavor of your soft cut-out sugar cookies. Here are a few ideas: - Lemon Zest: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest for a fresh twist. - Cocoa Powder: Swap 1/4 cup flour for cocoa powder for chocolate cookies. - Spices: Mix in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or ginger for a warm spice flavor. - Coconut Extract: Replace almond extract with coconut extract for a tropical taste. These small changes create a unique cookie each time you bake. Soft cut-out sugar cookies fit any occasion. Here are some fun ideas: - Holidays: Use cookie cutters shaped like trees or stars for Christmas. - Birthdays: Make fun shapes, like cupcakes or balloons, and decorate them brightly. - Weddings: Create heart shapes and decorate with white icing and pearls. - Halloween: Use spooky shapes like ghosts or pumpkins, adding black and orange icing. You can customize cookies to match your theme. This makes your cookies even more special. If you have dietary needs, you can still enjoy these cookies. Here’s how: - Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. - Dairy-Free: Substitute unsalted butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. - Egg-Free: Replace the egg with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg. These changes allow everyone to join in on the fun of cookie-making! To keep your soft cut-out sugar cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This prevents them from drying out. You can layer the cookies with parchment paper to avoid sticking. Keep them at room temperature for up to a week. If you want them to last longer, consider freezing. You can freeze these cookies before or after baking. To freeze before baking, cut out the shapes and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. For baked cookies, let them cool completely first. Use an airtight container or freezer bag. They will stay fresh for up to three months. To ensure your cookies stay soft, avoid exposing them to air. Use a container that seals well. If you notice they are getting hard, place a slice of bread in the container. This helps keep them moist. Always check the cookies for any signs of freezer burn if stored for a long time. Yes, you can use different flavor extracts. Instead of vanilla, try using lemon or peppermint. These flavors add a fun twist to your cookies. Just keep the amount the same—1 tablespoon. Experimenting with flavors can make baking more exciting. To prevent spreading, chill your dough. After mixing, wrap it tightly and place it in the fridge for at least one hour. This helps keep the shape while baking. Also, ensure your butter is softened, not melted. Too much heat can cause spreading. The best way to decorate is to use royal icing or melted chocolate. Drizzle it over cooled cookies for a fun look. You can also use colored sprinkles or edible glitter before baking. This adds a festive touch and makes your cookies pop. These cookies stay fresh for about one week at room temperature. Store them in an airtight container to keep them soft. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure they are fully cool before freezing. You now know how to make great cookies. We covered the ingredients, steps, and tips to get it right. Each part helps you bake cookies that are tasty and fun. Whether you want to make basic treats or dress up cookies for a party, you have the skills. Remember to store them well for the best taste. With these easy steps, you’ll impress everyone. Happy baking!$

Delightful Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

A delightful recipe for soft and sweet cut-out sugar cookies, perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 1 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
0.5 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1.5 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
0.5 teaspoon almond extract
0.25 teaspoon fine sea salt
optional colored sprinkles or edible glitter for decoration

Instructions

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and fine sea salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together until well blended, then set them aside.
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Beat the mixture for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy, which is key for soft cookies.
Next, add the large egg along with the vanilla extract and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat on low speed until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
Gradually add the reserved dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined; be cautious not to overmix, as this could result in tougher cookies.
To shape your dough, divide it into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disk, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).
After chilling, remove one disk from the fridge. On a lightly floured surface, roll it out to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes.
Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If you’d like, sprinkle colored sprinkles or edible glitter on top before baking for a festive touch.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn a light golden color; the centers may appear slightly soft but will set as they cool.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Afterward, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they maintain their delicious softness.

Notes

For a beautiful display, arrange the cooled cookies on a decorative plate. Consider drizzling royal icing or melted chocolate over the cookies and decorating with colorful sprinkles for an eye-catching finish!

Keyword baking, cookies, sugar cookies