• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Foodology Geek

  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • ☙ Iconic Recipes ❧
    • 🏝 California Food
    • 🍍 Hawaiian Food
    • 🌮 Mexican Recipes
    • 🏡 Family Recipes
  • Shop
  • 💌 Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • 🏠 BLOG
  • 🍍 ABOUT FG
  • 🗃 RECIPE INDEX
  • 📙 THE COOKBOOK
  • 🛒 SHOP
  • 📫 SUBSCRIBE
  • ➜ STORY EXPLORER
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

    Published: Jan 26, 2022 · Modified: Feb 24, 2022 by Laura Reigel · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump To Recipe Comments

    What could be more iconic of the winter season than sugar cookies? These soft sugar cookies are loved by all and are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Plus, they're pretty easy to make at home – you just need a few simple ingredients and some time to let them bake.

    So grab your favorite cookie cutters and your apron and check out this recipe for sugar cookies – you'll be baking up a storm in no time! This is one of the BEST cookie recipes for Christmas or for Valentine's Day.

    heart shaped cut out sugar cookies with royal icing

    This recipe is the perfect sugar cookie recipe. I've been using it for years to make Iced Christmas Cookies and Iced Valentine's Cookies. These sugar cookies are the perfect canvas for decorating with royal icing.

    WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE

    • These cut-out cookies have a fantastic buttery flavor with slightly crisp edges and soft middles.
    • The cookie dough is super easy to work and bakes up beautifully.
    • This simple cookie dough works well for a multitude of cookie recipes.
    snowflake cut out cookies iced with royal icing

    RECIPE NOTES

    These cut-out sugar cookies are soft with light and crispy golden brown edges. Mix up a batch of royal icing and decorate a batch of these simple sugar cookies for Christmas cookies or Valentine's Day.

    WHAT YOU'LL NEED

    ingredients for cut out sugar cookies

    SUGAR COOKIE DOUGH

    • Flour. All-purpose flour works best in this cookie recipe.
    • Baking powder.
    • Salt. Fine sea salt is perfect.
    • Sugar. granulated white sugar.
    • Butter. Unsalted room temperature butter.
    • Eggs. Room temperature eggs.
    • Vanilla. Vanilla extract and if you want to you can add other flavors to your cookie dough such as almond extract or lemon extract.

    FOR DECORATING

    • Royal Icing or Buttercream both work as sugar cooking frosting.
    • Sprinkles
    stack of cut out sugar cookies

    STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Combine flour with the baking powder, and salt, in a large bowl and set aside.
    2. Cream the butter and the sugar together, using a stand mixer or a hand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat for about 5 minutes on high speed until the sugar is dissolved into the butter. Scrape down the sides.
    3. Add the egg and the vanilla, beat to combine. Scrape the sides of the bowl again.
    4. Sprinkle in the dry ingredients turn the mixer to low speed until the dough is combined.
    5. If the dough seems too wet to roll out sugar cookies you can add an additional tablespoon or two of flour.
    6. At this point you have several options: you can roll out your dough now by adding a little flour to your work surface and using a rolling pin to roll the dough to about a ¼-inch thick. Refrigerate the rolled-out dough before cutting it with your favorite cookie cutters OR you can divide the dough into 2 pieces, form it into two discs and then wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for several days before rolling it out.
    7. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out your cookies. Combine the dough scraps and reroll to get more cookies.
    8. For best results chill dough before baking. Place the cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and chill for 2 hours up to overnight.
    9. When you are ready to bake the cookies preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃).
    10. Bake cookies for 11-14 minutes. You want the bottoms to be a light golden brown but not too much browning on the top of the cookies. Watch closely as oven temperatures vary.
    11. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
    12. Decorate the cooled sugar cookies with royal icing or simple buttercream frosting.

    OTHER COOKIE RECIPES THAT YOU’LL LOVE

    If you're hungry for more cookie recipes, check out some of our favorites.

    Try one of our classics like Chocolate Chip Cookies, or the BEST Shortbread Cookies you've ever had. My two favorites are the Dark Chocolate Chip Shortbread and the Pecan Fingers. You must give these cookies a try!

    • Persimmon Cookies
    • Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Blondie Recipe
    • Sugar Cookies Recipe
    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
    • Pecan Finger Cookies with Powdered Sugar
    • Shortbread Cookies

    ➽ Did you make this recipe? I love to see what's going on in your kitchen. Please show me what you're cooking. 🍳 Tag me @foodologygeek on your favorite social channel! Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. If you loved ❤︎ this recipe, please leave a five ★ review and a comment!

    rolled out sugar cookies recipe
    Favorite Saved!

    Cut Out Sugar Cookies

    Laura Reigel
    These cut-out sugar cookies are soft with light and crispy edges. Mix up a batch of royal icing and decorate a batch of these simple sugar cookies for Christmas cookies or Valentine's Day.
    PRINT PIN SAVE SAVED
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 14 mins
    Chill Time 30 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 cookies
    Calories 161 kcal

    Equipment

    • cookie baking sheets
    • parchment paper
    • rolling pin
    • cookie cutters
    • Stand Mixer or hand mixer
    • gel food dye

    Ingredients
      

    Sugar Cookie Dough

    • 2 sticks unsalted butter softened to room temperature
    • 1 cups granulated sugar
    • 1 egg room temperature
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling out the dough
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

    Royal Icing

    • 4 cups powdered sugar
    • ½ cup meringue powder
    • ¼ to ½ cup water you may not use all of this water

    Easy Cookie Glaze

    • 3 cups powdered sugar
    • ½ to 1 tablepoon vanilla extract leave out if you need the icing to be bright white
    • 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
    • 4 to 5 tablespoons water
    • pinch fine sea salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Combine the dry ingredients, the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and set aside.
    • Cream the butter and the sugar together using a stand mixer or a hand mixer. Beat for about 5 minutes on high speed until the sugar is dissolved into the butter. Scrape down the sides.
    • Add the egg and the vanilla, beat to combine. Scrape the sides of the bowl again.
    • Add the dry ingredients and beat on low until the dough is combined. If the dough seems too wet to roll out sugar cookies, you can add a tablespoon or two of flour.
    • You have several options: you roll the dough out on a floured surface, or you can chill the dough in the refrigerator for several days before rolling it out.
    • Roll out the cookie dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thick. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and chill for 2 hours up to overnight.
    • When ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃). Bake the cookies for 11-14 minutes. Watch closely as oven temperatures vary. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
    • Decorate the cooled sugar cookies with royal icing or simple buttercream.

    Royal Icing

    • Combine the powdered sugar and the meringue powder. Whisk to combine.
    • Add ¼ cup of water and mix on low with a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
    • Slowly add in additional water until the royal icing reaches the consistency that you want. Add more water to thin.
    • Add food coloring, if desired.

    Easy Icing Glaze

    • Add the powdered sugar and salt to a bowl whisk to remove the lumps.
    • Add the corn syrup, vanilla, and half of the water. Whisk to combine.
    • Continue to add water until you reach the desired consistency.
    • Add food coloring, if desired.

    Laura's Tips + Notes

    • Storing. Store iced cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. 
    • Freezing. Iced sugar cookies can be stored in the freezer for several months. Store in an airtight container with layers of parchment paper between each layer of cookies. Thaw the cookies in the refrigerator or at room temperature until they are thawed. You can also freeze extra cookie dough. Store the cookie dough in a zip-top bag and press all the air out of it. Store in the freezer for several months. Bring the dough to room temperature before rolling it out. 

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 cookieCalories: 161kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 4mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cookies, holiday cookies
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Snap a 📸 and share it. Tag me @foodologygeek and don't forget to hashtag #foodologygeek!

    More Cookie Recipes

    • Christmas Cookies
    • Chocolate Shortbread
    • Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Keto Snowball Cookies
    9 shares

    About Laura Reigel

    Laura is the owner and CEO of Foodology Geek. She holds a degree in Physiology and Neuroscience as well as a Certification as a Nutrition Coach. Laura uses her love of cooking and science to create healthy real food recipes that you'll love eating.

    As a certified recipe hoarder, and meal prep maven Laura is passionate about sharing her love for cooking easy from-scratch recipes. She also shares the occasional family recipe and all of the technical details.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Review this recipe!




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    laura reigel from foodology geek profile shot

    Hi, I'm Laura! Welcome to Foodology Geek restaurant-inspired recipes & culinary science.

    You'll recipes inspired by restaurants that I visit when I travel. I recreate them in my kitchen so that you can make them in yours.

    The best things in life can be found around the table with family and friends. Make them delicious!

    Find out more about me →

    🦃 It's Almost Turkey Day

    Check out our collection of Thanksgiving Recipes.

    • Classic Pumpkin Pie
    • Smoked Turkey Legs
    • How To Make The BEST Smoked Turkey Breast
    • Homemade Poultry Seasoning Recipe

    All Things Pumpkin

    • Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Vegan Pumpkin Pie Tart
    • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Classic Pumpkin Pie
    • DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
    • Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Caramel Sauce

    🥂 Trending...

    • Pot Roast Recipe
    • Potluck Recipes
    • Hawaiian Coleslaw - Sweet & Savory
    • How to Make Homemade Roasted Nuts
    • Pork Fried Rice
    • Smoked Kalua Pork - Authentic Hawaiian Flavor

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
    • TikTok

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Our Cookbook

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Accessibility Policy

    Contact us at: hello@foodologygeek.com

    Copyright © 2022 Foodology Geek

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    9 shares
    9 shares