Soft-Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
Soft-Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies: These soft rollout sugar cookies have Christmas and New Years written all over them! It’s the perfect Christmas cookie recipe, if you ask me 😉. These Cutout Sugar Cookies are made with homemade frosting and are such a simple classic christmas cookie recipe.
Is there any other type of Christmas cookie recipe that compares to a Soft-Baked Cutout Sugar Cookie?? Homemade Cutout Christmas cookies are a staple in our family!
Merry almost Christmas Eve!
Can you believe we are almost to the end of 2014? Where has the time gone? But really though, where has it gone?
Because time seems to be speeding up instead of slowing down (isn’t it funny how as a kid, Christmas never came fast enough, but now as an adult, it speeds by too quickly), I have been packing in every single Christmas activity/tradition/fun-thing-to-do.
In my family, we are BIG movie people. And there is no exception at Christmastime. We hit all of the amazing classics (sometimes multiple times) aaaand totally love those cheesy but adorable Hallmark Christmas movies (that start in November–Hallmark, you get me).
So, what are your favorite Christmas movies? Are you a Miracle on 34th Street kind of person? Home Alone? Love the Santa Clause sarcasm?
For me, picking a favorite is like trying to pick a favorite child. I mean, I don’t have kids so I don’t really know what it’s like to pick a top kid, but from what I hear on the street, picking a favorite child is nearly impossible.
And that’s exactly how I feel about Christmas movies. Instead, I have them categorized so that I have a favorite for all occasions. It’s not weird.
Classic: Miracle on 34th Street (both versions)
Comedy: The Santa Clause and Home Alone (total tie)
Heartwarming: Prancer and One Magic Christmas (they tie–both highly underrated Christmas films that are truly amazing)
Best Worst: Jingle All the Way. Hands down. Half brilliant, half ridiculous.
In my opinion, the best way to sit down and watch a Christmas movie is with a glass of hot chocolate and a Christmas cookie (or 2…3…or 4).
These Christmas cutout sugar cookies are so simple to make. While they do require chilling, they are so so delicious and totally worth the chill time.
I love this Christmas sugar cookie recipe because these cookies are so incredibly soft. I’m not a huge fan of crunchy sugar cookies, especially crunchy cutout sugar cookies, so these perfect cutout sugar cookies are a must in my book.
Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies (aka classic Christmas cutout cookies) Tips & Tricks:
- You begin by creaming the butter until it is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. This is a crucial step, as it transforms your cookies into light, soft cookies. Next, cream it with the sugar, about 2 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time. Add in vanilla extract and almond extract (the almond extract is optional, however it is strongly recommended. It adds incredibly depth to the cookies. I use it in tons of recipes, including this one, this one, and this one).
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly incorporate to the butter mixture. Once mixed, chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
- Once chilled, turn dough out onto floured wax paper. Roll dough out until it is 1/4″ thick (any thinner and the cookies will be too crunchy). Cut with cookie cutters. Bake for 8-11 minutes (depending upon how large your cutouts are). Basically, if you want soft sugar cookies, bake until they look set with just a light bit of color on top. If you want a crunchier cookie, bake until the edges start to turn golden brown.
Soft-Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies (aka Christmas Cutout Cookies) are 100% perfect when topped with this Homemade Vanilla Buttercream! Or, try this Easy Royal Icing!
Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies (aka Christmas Sugar Cookies)
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups - 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- salt to taste
- 2-3 tsp milk
Instructions
- Cream the butter with a mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add in sugar. Using your mixer, cream until well combined, about 2 minutes.
- Add in eggs, 1 at a time, creaming until combined. Add vanilla and almond extracts.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet. Once combined, chill dough for at least 1 hour.
- Once dough is chilled, preheat the oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a floured surface, roll out cooke dough until it is about 1/4" in thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out your desired shapes and place them on the cookie sheet, about 2" apart. Repeat the rolling and cutting process with the remaining dough. Leftover scraps can be rolled out again.
- Bake the cookies for 8 to 11 minutes, or until they look set and lightly colored (slightly underbaking them keeps them soft, about 8-9 minutes; baking them until they are golden brown will make the crispy, about 10-11 minutes), and then transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
Frosting
- Beat butter until light and fluffy.
- Add in powdered sugar, beginning with 2 cups. Add in vanilla, 2 tsp of milk, and salt.
- If the frosting seems too thick, add in more milk. If it seems too thin, add in more powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time.
- Frost cookies. Decorate with sprinkles. Enjoy!
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Here are some other Christmas recipes you might enjoy!
Meet Michelle
I’m a self-taught baker who truly believes it’s impossible to be upset when eating dessert. It’s my life’s goal to bake everyone happy!
If I’m not baking, I’m probably reading a good book with a cup a coffee in hand.
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here!
Ahhh I love these! They look beautiful! Making these tonight with my family 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Jolene!
I like your Christmas sugar cookies I make them every year
Beautiful! These look amazing (as all your stuff does) 🙂 Making these after Christmas!
Thanks, Missy! Hope you love ’em!
These are perfect! So easy to make and THAT frosting. Holy crap I want to eat it with a spoon. Pinned!
Thanks, Lila!
Does the icing stay soft or does it harden somewhat? I am looking for a yummy icing, but one that hardens a bit so cookies can be stacked.
Beautiful cookies. Could I possibly reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup since we are going to frost? I am new to baking and am not certain what this would do to the recipe.
Have not made yet But I will for Christmas. They look so good. Thanks for the recipe. I love simple and basic recipes. This will be added to my collection.
Does the frosting for these cookies harden or stay soft? I plan on making them for New Years and would like to make them ahead of time. Thanks
The look and sound amazing
Catherine
Hi Catherine! The frosting does harden. However, if you were to put on a thick layer of frosting, the outside layer of frosting would harden but the inside would remain soft, if that makes sense. 🙂
This is by far the best sugar cookie recipe I have ever used. Not going to try any other. Thanks for sharing!
My sister wanted me to make her ballerina cookies, so I added pink coloring to the dough and cut it out in the shape of a tutu. We all loved it!
Recommend the best cookies I have ever made!
Do you use salted or unsalted butter?
These are incredible! I made them yesterday with my 4-year-old daughter for Halloween!. They’re the perfect consistency, and the perfect amount of sweetness… Plus the almond extract gives them the perfect balance of flavors. We’ll definitely be making these again!
This recipe is amazing! They turned out perfect! I do however have some leftover dough that I want to save, so that I can make some fresh cookies next week. Do you know if I can keep the dough refrigerated for awhile, or if I can freeze it?