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Best-Ever Christmas Cut Out Sugar Cookies Recipe
These Christmas cut out sugar cookies are buttery, soft, and sturdy enough for decorating with colorful icing or sprinkles. Their classic vanilla flavor, optional almond extract, and festive shapes make them a satisfying holiday treat for cookie exchanges, parties, and family baking days.
Quick Overview
- Prep time: Not provided
- Cook time: Not provided
- Total time: Not provided
- Servings: Not provided
Why Make This Recipe
- Easy holiday baking: The dough uses simple pantry staples and straightforward mixing steps.
- Perfect for decorating: The cookies can be cut into festive shapes and finished with icing or sprinkles.
- Soft, buttery texture: Butter and sugar create a rich, tender cookie with lightly golden edges.
- Crowd-pleasing flavor: Vanilla gives these cookies classic appeal, while almond extract adds an optional bakery-style note.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Sprinkles or icing for decoration
How to Make It
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preparing the oven first ensures it reaches the correct temperature before the cookies go in.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This evenly distributes the dry ingredients and helps prevent pockets of baking powder or salt in the dough.
In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Mixing until fluffy helps create a smooth, tender cookie texture.
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture looks smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing once the flour is incorporated so the cookies remain tender.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use an even thickness so the cookies bake consistently.
Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and place them on a baking sheet. Arrange the cutouts on the baking sheet, leaving enough space between them for even baking.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Watch the cookies closely near the end of baking to avoid overbrowning.
Let the cookies cool, then decorate with sprinkles or icing as desired. Cooling the cookies first helps the decorations set neatly and prevents icing from melting.
How to Serve It
- Serve the cookies on a festive holiday platter alongside hot cocoa, coffee, or tea.
- Arrange them in individual treat bags or tins for edible Christmas gifts.
- Use colorful icing and sprinkles to match a holiday theme, cookie exchange, or Christmas party.
How to Store It
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to help preserve their texture and flavor. If decorated with icing, allow the decorations to set before stacking the cookies.
For longer storage, place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze until needed, then thaw them at room temperature while still covered or sealed to help prevent condensation from affecting the texture.
These cookies are best served at room temperature. Reheating is generally not needed, as warming decorated sugar cookies can soften the icing or affect the decorations.
Helpful Tips
- Make sure the butter is softened before creaming it with the sugar so the mixture becomes smooth and light.
- Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick for sturdy cookies that are suitable for decorating.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before adding icing or sprinkles so the decorations stay in place.
- Avoid overmixing after adding the flour, as this can make the cookies less tender.
- Watch the edges carefully during baking; they should be lightly golden rather than deeply browned.
Optional Variations
- Use only vanilla extract if you prefer a classic vanilla sugar cookie without almond flavor.
- Add festive icing colors, such as red, green, white, or gold, to coordinate with your holiday celebration.
- Decorate with different types of sprinkles for Christmas trees, snowflakes, stars, or other seasonal shapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies without almond extract?
Yes. Almond extract is optional, so you can leave it out and use the vanilla extract for a classic flavor.
How thick should I roll the cookie dough?
Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick, as directed. This creates cutout cookies that are thick enough for decorating.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The cookies are ready when they have baked for 8-10 minutes and the edges are lightly golden.
When should I decorate the cookies?
Let the cookies cool first, then decorate them with sprinkles or icing. This helps prevent the decorations from melting or sliding.
Can I use different cookie cutter shapes?
Yes. Use any cookie cutters you like to create festive Christmas sugar cookie cutouts for your celebration.
Christmas Cut Out Sugar Cookies
These Christmas cut out sugar cookies are buttery, soft, and sturdy enough for decorating. Their classic vanilla flavor and optional almond extract make them a delightful holiday treat.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Make sure it is softened for easy mixing.
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional) Skip if you prefer a classic flavor.
For Decoration
- to taste Sprinkles or icing Use colorful icing and sprinkles to decorate the cookies.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and place them on a baking sheet.
Baking
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool.
- Decorate with sprinkles or icing as desired.
Notes
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container to preserve texture and flavor. For longer storage, freeze cookies in a freezer-safe container.
