Classic Cut Out Sugar Cookies for the Holidays | Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes

Buttery, vanilla-scented aromas fill the kitchen when these cookies bake, resulting in a clean snap and a tender crumb. The dough is specifically formulated to resist spreading, meaning your stars, trees, and snowflakes maintain their sharp edges from the oven to the cooling rack.

These cookies are a staple for holiday cookie exchanges or afternoon tea parties where a decorative touch is needed. They provide a sturdy yet soft base that supports heavy royal icing without breaking.

Unsalted butter provides the rich, creamy base and helps the cookies melt in the mouth. Using room temperature butter allows it to cream properly with the sugar for a uniform texture.

Granulated sugar adds sweetness and creates the characteristic crisp exterior. It helps stabilize the structure of the dough during the baking process.

Egg acts as the binder, bringing the fats and flours together while adding a slight lift to the cookie.

Vanilla extract contributes the primary flavor profile, giving the cookies a classic, nostalgic taste. For a more intense flavor, a high-quality pure extract is recommended.

All-purpose flour gives the cookies their structure. It is the primary component that allows the dough to be rolled out and cut into shapes without sticking.

Baking powder provides a small amount of leavening, ensuring the cookies aren’t overly dense while still preventing them from puffing up too much.

Salt balances the sweetness of the sugar and enhances the butter flavor.

1. Cream the butter and sugar: Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is pale and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Add wet ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, beating until the ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
3. Combine dry ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl before gradually adding them to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough just pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Chill the dough: Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading in the oven.
5. Roll and cut: Preheat the oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create your desired shapes and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets.
6. Bake the cookies: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove them from the oven when the edges are just set but not browned.
7. Cool completely: Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They must be completely cold before applying icing.

Citrus Zest: Add the zest of one lemon or orange to the sugar for a bright, refreshing twist similar to Soft Orange Sugar Winter Bakery Cookies Recipe

Almond Extract: Replace half of the vanilla extract with almond extract for a sophisticated, nutty flavor profile.

Glitter Finish: Brush the baked and cooled cookies with a thin layer of corn syrup and sprinkle with sanding sugar for a shimmering effect.

Store baked, undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you are preparing for a large event, you can freeze the raw dough discs for up to three months.

To freeze baked cookies, flash-freeze them on a tray for an hour before transferring them to a freezer bag. This prevents them from sticking together and preserves the delicate shapes.