Sugar Cookie Recipe for Festive Cutouts
This recipe yields perfectly soft and delicious sugar cookies, ideal for creating festive cutouts for any occasion! These cookies are easy to make, even for beginners, and the result is a batch of beautifully decorated treats that are sure to impress. Let's get baking!
Ingredients You'll Need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: This is key for achieving that tender crumb. Make sure it's softened, not melted!
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor profile – feel free to experiment with other extracts like almond or lemon!
- 4 cups all-purpose flour: The structure of your cookie.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder: Provides lift and a light texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
Instructions for Perfectly Cutout Cookies:
1. Cream Together Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but you can also do it by hand if you're feeling ambitious!
2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually Add Dry to Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
5. Chill the Dough: This step is crucial! Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours). Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much when baked.
6. Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
8. Cut Out the Shapes: Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough. Place the cutouts onto the prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning!
10. Cool & Decorate: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, decorate with frosting, sprinkles, or other fun toppings!
Tips for Success:
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies.
- Chill the dough: Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too thin during baking.
- Use parchment paper: This prevents the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheets: Give the cookies enough space to bake evenly.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating: This will prevent the frosting from melting.
Variations & Ideas:
- Add sprinkles to the dough: For extra festive flair, add sprinkles to the dough before chilling.
- Use different extracts: Experiment with almond, lemon, or peppermint extract for unique flavors.
- Create themed cookies: Use cookie cutters shaped like stars, hearts, or other festive designs.
- Get creative with frosting: Use different colors and techniques to create unique designs.
Enjoy your homemade sugar cookies! They are perfect for gifting, sharing, or simply enjoying with a glass of milk. Happy baking!
