Best Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies
There are few things that feel as nostalgic as a simple cut out sugar cookie. These buttery soft sugar cookies are delightfully simple to make, delicious, and perfect for little hands to help with.
This is the recipe I come back to over and over for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and any other occasion where I need a classic, nostalgic treat. It rolls easily, holds it’s shape, and bakes up perfectly every time. Whether you’re baking with your children, for a special occasion, or just a quiet afternoon, these cookies are a simple way to mark the season and make memories along the way.
Why You’ll love these cut out cookies
- Soft, not crunchy
- Minimal chilling required
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Perfect for kids to help with cutting and frosting
- A classic recipe you’ll use over and over
This dough works for all the holidays and seasons — use it to cut out hearts, Christmas trees, Easter bunnies, or fall leaves. It’s truly a staple recipe you’ll return to again and again.
Ingredients for soft cut out sugar cookies
- Butter. Make sure it’s good and soft before working with it.
- Sugar. I prefer to use organic cane sugar, but granulated sugar is fine.
- Egg. Just one.
- Vanilla. Don’t skip the vanilla, adds perfect flavor.
- Flour. All purpose works best, but whole grain flours work too.
- Salt. Don’t skip it.
For the frosting:
- Butter
- Vanilla
- Milk
- Powdered sugar
- Beet root powder (optional for pink or red coloring)
How to make cut-out cookies
- Combine wet ingredients. In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.
- Add dry ingredients. Mix in flour baking powder, and salt until a soft dough forms. The dough should be smooth and easy handle.
- Shape and chill the dough. Form the dough into a disk and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes up to 3 days. This makes it slightly easier to roll and cut out shapes.
- Roll and cut. Lightly dust the counter with flour and roll the dough out until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes and place on parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake cookies. Preheat oven to 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges are set. Being careful not to over bake.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
Simple butter cream frosting
Beat the butter until smooth. Add in vanilla and milk, beat again. Slowly add in powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. Add in beet root powder or other natural food coloring, if desired. Spread generously over cookies.
A Simple tradition in our home
We don’t go overboard with sweets in our home. You can read this blog post about how and why we cut out refined sugar. But we do enjoy making simple cut out sugar cookies as a way to mark little holidays. There is something so sweet about celebrating the little things and slowing down to make something in the kitchen together is the perfect way to make magic out of the ordinary.
Tips for baking with kids
If you’re baking with kids it can be both sweet and rewarding and overwhelming at the same time. Here’s a few tips to inviting kids into the kitchen to help.
- Keep expectations low. It’s about memory making and skill building, not a perfect finished product.
- Let them cut out the shapes — even when they don’t come out perfectly. They’ll bake up beautifully and taste delicious.
- Use parchment paper to keep clean up a breeze.
- Keep decorating simple with one or two colors, sprinkles, and a small kitchen spoon or knife. No messy piping bags necessary.
- Embrace the mess. Truly, it’s part of the joy of being together and making memories.
Storage and Make Ahead Tips
- Unfrosted cookies store well at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- Frosted sugar cookies can be stored in an airtight container.
- Dough can be made 2-3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Baked cookies can be frozen, unfrosted, for up to three months.
More simple ideas for cut out sugar cookies
- Pair with tea for a special Coffee and Tea Time Treat
- Make these as part of your Meaningful Family Christmas Traditions
- Delicious paired with Homemade Hot Cocoa
Simple Cut Out Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Combine wet ingredients. In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.
- Add dry ingredients. Mix in flour baking powder, and salt until a soft dough forms. The dough should be smooth and easy handle.
- Shape and chill the dough. Form the dough into a disk and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes up to 3 days. This makes it slightly easier to roll and cut out shapes.
- Roll and cut. Lightly dust the counter with flour and roll the dough out until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes and place on parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake cookies. Preheat oven to 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges are set. Being careful not to over bake.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
- Beat the butter with electric mixer until fluffy.
- Add vanilla, stir.
- Add powdered sugar one cup at a time until smooth.
- Add milk and beat until light and fluffy.
