The Best Soft and Chewy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Follow this simple recipe to make soft, buttery sugar cookies that hold their shape perfectly for decorating. This is the best easy sugar cookie recipe for holidays or any celebration.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 160 min
- Yield: 3 dozen 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This takes about 3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- 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. Chilling prevents spreading.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disk to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just set and lightly golden. For soft and chewy cookies, err on the side of underbaking slightly.
- 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 want extra fluffy sugar cookies, use room temperature eggs.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 95
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 30