I can still vividly remember the first time I ever made cut-out sugar cookies with my grandma. I was just a little girl, probably no more than 5 or 6 years old, and I was so excited to get my hands dirty in the kitchen. Grandma had this old, well-worn cookbook that she’d pull out every Christmas, and we’d carefully flip through the pages until we found the perfect recipe for her famous cut-out sugar cookies.
I loved watching Grandma measure out the ingredients – the soft butter, the pure vanilla extract, the sparkling white sugar. And oh, the pure joy I felt when we’d start rolling out the dough and cutting out all sorts of fun shapes with her collection of cookie cutters. Snowflakes, Christmas trees, candy canes – you name it, we’d make it. Then came the best part: decorating those freshly baked cookies with colorful sprinkles, gooey icing, and shimmering edible glitter. It was like an edible work of art, and I always felt so proud when I’d get to share my creations with the rest of the family.
Those cut-out sugar cookie baking sessions with Grandma are some of my most cherished memories. The warmth of the oven, the sweet aroma of vanilla and sugar, the laughter and music playing in the background – it was pure magic. And you know what? Even though Grandma’s no longer with us, I still make her famous cut-out sugar cookies every single Christmas. It’s a tradition I’ll always hold dear, and one that I can’t wait to pass down to my own children someday.
Why This Cut-out Sugar Cookies Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
The secret behind Grandma’s perfect cut-out sugar cookies? It all comes down to a few key techniques and a whole lot of love. See, most cut-out sugar cookie recipes can end up dry, crumbly, and just plain disappointing. But this one? It yields soft, pillowy cookies that practically melt in your mouth. The secret? A touch of cream cheese in the dough, which gives these cookies a delightfully rich and tender texture.
The other game-changer? Chilling the dough before rolling and cutting. This extra step helps the cookies hold their shape beautifully, so you end up with perfectly defined edges and no more blob-like messes. Trust me, once you try this cut-out sugar cookie recipe, it’ll become your new go-to. Your family and friends will be begging you to make them again and again!
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
- Butter: The foundation of any great sugar cookie. Make sure to use high-quality, unsalted butter for the best flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the dough and gives the cookies their classic crinkly tops.
- Cream Cheese: As I mentioned, this is the secret ingredient that sets this cut-out sugar cookie recipe apart. It adds a delightful richness and chewiness.
- Egg Yolk: Just one yolk helps bind the dough together.
- Vanilla Extract: For that classic sweet vanilla flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structure-building component of the cookies.
- Baking Powder: A touch of this leavening agent keeps the cookies from spreading too much.
- Salt: A small pinch enhances all the other flavors.
Step-by-Step Cut-out Sugar Cookies Instructions
Preparing Your Cut-out Sugar Cookies
Making these cut-out sugar cookies is a breeze, but it does require a bit of patience and chilling time. In total, you’re looking at about 2 hours from start to finish, with 30 minutes of active prep and baking time. You’ll need a few key pieces of equipment, like a stand mixer, rolling pin, and an assortment of cookie cutters.
1- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
2- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 3 days).
3- Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then carefully transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
4- Bake the cut-out sugar cookies for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as they can go from perfectly baked to overbaked in the blink of an eye.
5- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
6- Once cooled, decorate the cut-out sugar cookies with royal icing, sprinkles, or any other toppings your heart desires. Serve and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Success
The key to perfect cut-out sugar cookies is all in the technique. First and foremost, make sure you chill the dough for at least an hour (or up to 3 days) before rolling and cutting. This helps the cookies hold their shape beautifully.
Another pro tip? Don’t over-flour your surface when rolling out the dough. Too much extra flour can lead to dry, crumbly cookies. And be gentle when transferring the cut-out shapes to the baking sheets – you don’t want to stretch or distort the delicate dough.
Finally, watch those cookies like a hawk in the oven. Sugar cookies can go from perfectly golden to burnt in the blink of an eye, so keep a close eye on them and pull them out as soon as the edges start to turn lightly golden.
Serving and Storing Your Cut-out Sugar Cookies
Perfect Pairings for Cut-out Sugar Cookies
These classic cut-out sugar cookies are the perfect sweet treat to enjoy with a steaming mug of hot chocolate, apple cider, or freshly brewed coffee. They also make a wonderful addition to any holiday cookie platter, alongside other festive favorites like gingerbread, peppermint bark, and thumbprint cookies.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Unfrosted cut-out sugar cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted cookies in a single layer for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature and decorate as desired.
You can also make the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to roll, cut, and bake the cookies. This makes for a super easy, stress-free holiday baking session!
Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Cut-out Sugar Cookies
Creative Cut-out Sugar Cookies Variations
The great thing about this classic cut-out sugar cookie recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can swap out the vanilla extract for other flavor extracts like almond, lemon, or peppermint. You can also get creative with your cookie cutter shapes – try hearts for Valentine’s Day, shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day, or pumpkins and leaves for fall.
Making Cut-out Sugar Cookies Diet-Friendly
To make these cut-out sugar cookies gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. For a vegan version, use dairy-free butter and cream cheese alternatives, and replace the egg yolk with a flax or chia egg. And if you’re watching your carbs, you can reduce the amount of granulated sugar and use a low-calorie sweetener instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
A: While you can use salted butter, I’d recommend sticking with unsalted. The added salt in salted butter can throw off the flavor balance of the cookies.
Q: How long do I need to chill the dough?
A: For best results, chill the dough for at least 1 hour. You can also make the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
Q: Can I freeze the baked cookies?
A: Absolutely! Unfrosted cut-out sugar cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just be sure to let them thaw at room temperature before decorating and serving.
Q: How many cookies does this recipe make?
A: The yield can vary depending on the size of your cookie cutters, but this recipe will typically make 18-24 medium-sized cut-out sugar cookies.
Q: My cookies spread too much in the oven. What did I do wrong?
A: If your cookies are spreading too much, it’s likely that the dough wasn’t chilled long enough. Make sure to chill it for at least an hour before rolling and cutting.
Grandma’s 10-Minute Cut-out Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
Grandma’s classic cut-out sugar cookies are a timeless holiday treat that are easy to make and sure to delight your family and friends. With a delightfully crisp texture and a light dusting of powdered sugar, these festive cookies are perfect for baking up a batch for your next holiday gathering.
Ingredients
– 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
1. – In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. – In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. – Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
4. – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
5. – Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. – Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. – Working with one disc at a time, roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
8. – Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
9. – Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
10. – Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. – Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar and enjoy!
Notes
– For extra flavor, try adding 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the dough.
– Decorate the cookies with royal icing, sprinkles, or other festive toppings.
– Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
There’s just something so special about making (and eating!) homemade cut-out sugar cookies. The rich, buttery flavor, the soft and tender texture, the endless decorating possibilities – it’s enough to make any sweet tooth swoon. And this recipe? It’s the ultimate holiday baking hack, yielding perfect cut-out sugar cookies every single time.
So what are you waiting for? Gather up your favorite cookie cutters, preheat that oven, and get ready to create some edible works of art. I promise, once you try this cut-out sugar cookie recipe, it’ll become a cherished family tradition that you’ll want to pass down for generations to come. Happy baking!
