Name: Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed for rolling and work surface; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but makes the flavor outstanding); Royal Icing, Easy Glaze Icing, or Cookie Buttercream (royal icing is pictured); Assorted sprinkles

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 17 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a cookie recipe that nails that perfect balance between tender and sturdy, you’re going to love this Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies hold their shape beautifully when baking, yet melt in your mouth with a softness that’s downright addictive. Whether you’re decorating for a party, the holidays, or just because, this recipe is a total winner. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step to cookie success—and share a few tricks I’ve learned along the way!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Softness: The butter and sugar creaming step creates an irresistibly tender crumb that still holds its shape.
Flavor Boost: A hint of almond extract gives the dough a subtle, sophisticated twist that takes these sugar cookies to the next level.
Chill for Success: Refrigerating the rolled dough firm up the butter so your cookies cut cleanly without spreading too much.
Mix & Measure Balance: Precise flour measurement prevents over-dry or overly sticky dough, a common cookie-making pitfall.

Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies, festive sugar cookies, tender decorated cookies, easy cookie decorating recipes, holiday sugar cookie ideas - A metal baking tray filled with many heart-shaped and oval cookies arranged in layers. The base layer includes plain light brown cookies with no icing visible. The top layer covers most cookies in smooth white, pink, and blue icing; some have pink sugar sprinkles giving a rough texture while others have a smooth shiny finish. The hearts vary in size, with some large and some small, overlapping each other across the tray. The tray sits on a white marbled surface with a few extra plain cookies and a small container of pink sugar nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe uses simple ingredients that come together in a way to deliver fantastic texture and flavor. Each component plays a key role, and a few little tips on sourcing and prepping will make your cookie game even stronger.

Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies, festive sugar cookies, tender decorated cookies, easy cookie decorating recipes, holiday sugar cookie ideas - Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a few tablespoons of softened unsalted butter shaped into a smooth pat, a small white bowl containing clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl with almond extract, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of salt, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with assorted colorful sprinkles — all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Make sure to spoon and level it for accuracy—too much flour can dry out your cookies, too little makes rolling tricky.
Baking powder: Just a touch gives a gentle lift without puffing up the cookies too much.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
Unsalted butter: Room temperature is key here. Too soft and the dough gets greasy; too cold and it won’t cream well.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with that classic sugar cookie texture when creamed with butter.
Egg: Room temperature helps the dough come together smoothly without breaking.
Vanilla extract: A must-have for warm, rich flavor in almost any cookie dough.
Almond extract (optional): This little extra packs a punch and gives the cookies a unique, delicious depth that’s my personal favorite.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe. It’s a fantastic canvas to bring in different flavors, spices, or decorating styles—so go ahead and make the recipe truly yours.

Variation: One holiday, I swapped almond extract for peppermint extract and added crushed candy canes on top—it was an instant festive hit!
Dietary swaps: You can use a plant-based butter alternative if you’re dairy-free, just make sure it’s firm at room temp.
Seasonal twists: Try adding a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice in fall or lemon zest in spring for fresh, seasonal flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This helps distribute the leavening agent and salt evenly so your cookies bake perfectly every time. Set this aside for now—it’s the foundation for your dough.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together on high speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy—about 3 minutes. This step is crucial! The air you whip in here gives your cookies that lovely soft texture.

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Extracts

Next, add your egg and vanilla (plus almond extract if you’re using it) and beat again until everything’s combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula to make sure nothing’s hiding out there—thorough mixing is key for even flavor and texture.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients with Wet

Switch your mixer to low speed and gradually add the dry mixture to the wet. The dough will be soft but not sticky. If it feels too sticky to roll out easily, add a tablespoon of flour—but be careful not to add too much or your cookies might dry out.

Step 5: Divide, Roll, and Chill the Dough

Split the dough into two halves and roll out each on lightly floured parchment paper to about 1/4-inch thickness. Stack the layers and chill them for at least two hours or up to two days. This step helps your cookies keep their shape and prevents spreading during baking—trust me, it’s worth the wait.

Step 6: Cut and Bake Your Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Carefully peel off the top dough layer and start cutting shapes with your favorite cookie cutters. Don’t toss those scraps—roll them out again for even more cookies! Bake for about 11-12 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden brown.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely before decorating. Whether you prefer royal icing, buttercream, or a simple glaze, these cookies beautify beautifully and taste amazing.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Use Room Temperature Butter: This is key for creamy creaming—it helps your dough come together smoothly and keeps texture soft.
Don’t Skip the Chill: Rolling out and chilling the dough makes all the difference in how perfectly your cookies hold their shape.
Re-roll Dough Scraps: Cookie dystrophy is a thing! Re-rolling scraps means fewer wasted leftovers and more cookies.
Watch Baking Time Closely: Even a minute or two over can lead to harder cookies, so aim for light golden edges and soft centers.

How to Serve Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe

Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies, festive sugar cookies, tender decorated cookies, easy cookie decorating recipes, holiday sugar cookie ideas - A white polka-dotted plate holds heart-shaped sugar cookies with smooth icing layers; some cookies have thick pink sugar crystals sprinkled on top of a pink or white frosting layer, others have plain white or light blue smooth icing, each cookie showing a soft golden-brown edge around the icing. The cookies vary in size, stacked and overlapping each other on the plate. Around the plate, there are more decorated cookies and a small clear container with pink sugar crystals tipped over, spilling some onto the white marbled surface. The light is soft and natural, highlighting the pastel colors and delicate texture of the cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually go for colorful sprinkles paired with royal icing tinted in pastel shades—it makes the cookies as pretty as they are tasty. If I’m feeling fancy, edible glitter or tiny sugar pearls add that extra sparkle that always wows guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect with a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, or even a cold glass of milk—classic combos that never disappoint. At parties, I love arranging them with fresh fruit platters or a simple cheese board for a nice sweet-savory contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays, I shape the cookies into themed silhouettes and package them individually in pretty cellophane bags tied with ribbons—everyone feels special unwrapping one. I’ve also made cookie gift boxes, layering parchment between decorated cookies so they arrive perfect and pristine.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover plain or iced cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh for about 5 days. If you need to keep them longer, I wrap them tightly and refrigerate for up to 10 days, just remember they taste best when brought back to room temp before eating.

Freezing

This Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe freezes beautifully. I freeze both the cookie dough discs and fully baked cookies (once iced and completely set) in separate freezer bags. When you’re ready, thaw dough overnight in the fridge or cookies at room temperature—convenience at its best!

Reheating

If you want to enjoy your cookies warm, pop them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds—but be cautious. Too much heat can make cookies dry out. I find reheating just enough to bring out that soft, chewy feel does the trick.

FAQs

Can I make this Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe without almond extract?

Absolutely! The almond extract adds a subtle, lovely depth of flavor, but the cookies will still be delicious without it. If you want a similar boost, try vanilla extract alone or experiment with other extracts like lemon or peppermint for different flavor profiles.
Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms up the butter, which helps the cookies maintain their shape better when they bake. It also relaxes the gluten, leading to softer, more tender cookies. Skipping this step often results in cookie spreading and less precise shapes.
How do I prevent my cookies from sticking while rolling and cutting?

Lightly dust your rolling surface, rolling pin, and parchment paper with flour. Also, rolling the dough between parchment sheets helps reduce stickiness. If the dough starts to stick, chill it again for 10-15 minutes—cool dough is easier to handle.
Can I double this recipe?

Yes! You can double the ingredients and divide the dough into three or four portions for easier handling and chilling. Just remember to adjust your chilling and baking times slightly if needed.
What icing do you recommend for decorating these cookies?

Royal icing is my go-to for crisp, detailed decoration that sets firm; however, easy glaze icing or cookie buttercream are great alternatives if you prefer creamy or textured finishes. Choose whichever suits your decorating style and taste!

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe has become my trusted standby whenever I want cookies that look beautiful and taste even better. It’s dependable, forgiving, and versatile—you really can’t go wrong. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out with cut-outs, this recipe will have you smiling through every bite. Give it a go, and I bet it’ll become a favorite in your kitchen, too!