Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe (Plus Video)

Soft sugar cookies that melt in your mouth but are not too cake-like are perfect. These are chewy sugar cookies with a hint of almond extract to make them have just the right amount of flavor. 

This is the best sugar cookie recipe on the planet. I may be biased but I haven’t found a cookie that tastes quite this good. This recipe has been in my family for many years and will continue to be a Christmas tradition each year. I can almost guarantee this recipe will be your new favorite! 

I still am having a hard time believing the holiday season is here. Where did the year go? It feels like just yesterday we were ringing in the new year and here we are again. 

One of my favorite things to do is to use cookie cutters and cut out a variety of different Christmas shapes with the kids. Decorating them and enjoying them afterward is also fun, but there is something special about the actual dough of cut-out sugar cookies that makes my heart full.

Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookie Tips

• Don’t overbake these cookies. They will become crispy if you overdo it. I just don’t think they have the same soft bite. You may be wondering, how long to bake sugar cookies at 350? I like to go about 5-7 minutes depending on the thickness of the cookie. 
• Let the sugar cookie dough chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so the dough stiffens and is easy to work with before rolling it out on a floured surface. 
• Bake the cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
• Let your frosting get to room temperature (if it was in the fridge) so it can easily spread over the softer cookie. 
• This dough freezes so well. I like to make double and triple batches of it to save for New Year and Valentine’s Day. 

TOOLS YOU MAY NEED TO MAKE THE BEST SUGAR COOKIES

• Large bowl, medium bowl
• Stand Mixer (I use my KitchenAid with the paddle attachment)
• Plastic Wrap or Airtight Container
• Cooling rack
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Cookie Sheet
• Spatula
• Parchment Paper
• Cookie Cutters
• Rolling Pin
• Spatula

Ingredients You Will Need:

• 4 Sticks of real butter: Nothing but the real stuff will work for this recipe. I use salted butter but you could use unsalted too. The recipe turns out great either way.
• 2 cups of granulated sugar
• 6 cups of flour
• 2 tsp. Baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp. Almond extract or vanilla extract: Whichever preference you like here. I love the slight almond taste in the cookies, but I have also used vanilla and they are equally delicious. 
• 1 tsp. Salt 
• Frosting and Sprinkles to decorate: You can use buttercream frosting, cream cheese frosting, royal icing, or any vanilla frosting. 

How To Make Homemade Sugar Cookies

To make the dough:

Mix the butter (room temperature), sugar, almond extract, and eggs in a large mixing bowl at medium speed. I use the bowl of an electric mixer. 

In another bowl mix together the flour mixture: flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add it into the bowl with the wet ingredients: eggs, butter, sugar, and extract. I like to add it in one cup at a time. 

Mix until the dough forms and becomes a smooth ball. Scrap the sides of the bowl and wrap the dough with plastic wrap. Place the dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill. 

Pre-heat the oven now to 350 degrees f. and get your prepared baking sheet ready on the counter. I place parchment paper over a cookie sheet.

Once your preheated oven is ready and your dough is chilled, prepare your work surface for creating the perfect cookies. This particular dough loves flour and without enough flour, it will stick to your countertop. You cannot use too much flour in my opinion!

Cut out shapes and place them on your cookie sheet.

Baking time is rather quick so I recommend getting at least 2 cookie sheets out to rotate them in and out of the oven.

Depending on the size of the cut-out cookies and the thickness they usually bake for 5-7 minutes. Don’t wait until they are golden brown. That is far too long. They should be still soft to the touch in the oven.

Let them cool before icing and decorating and enjoy!