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The Ultimate Soft & Sturdy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies for Decorating

A stack of four soft sugar cookie rounds, with one leaning against the side, coated in sparkling sugar.
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This recipe creates buttery, classic sugar cookies that stay soft and chewy while holding their shape perfectly for cutting and decorating. It is a reliable, easy recipe for any celebration.

Ingredients

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  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set the dry ingredients aside.
  2. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix the dough.
  5. Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days. Chilling is key for no-spread cookies.
  6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
  8. Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, placing them about 1 inch apart.
  9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. The edges should be set but the centers should still look slightly soft. For thicker cookies, bake closer to 10 minutes.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Notes

  • For the best cut-out results, chill the rolled-out dough on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.
  • If you prefer a softer cookie, slightly reduce the baking time. If you want a sturdier cookie for stacking, bake for an extra minute or two.
  • This dough works well with royal icing or a simple buttercream frosting.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/ultimate-soft-sturdy-cut-out-sugar-cookie/