When it comes to holiday baking, nothing beats the joy of making perfect sugar cookies for Christmas. I still remember the first time my son, Jake, helped me roll out the dough and cut out stars and trees. We ended up with flour everywhere, but those cookies turned out to be the best batch we ever made. This easy cutout recipe will have your kitchen smelling like a winter wonderland in no time.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love It
- These cookies are soft and chewy, perfect for decorating.
- You can get creative with shapes and colors for the holidays.
- They make great gifts and are fun to share with family and friends.
Pure Comfort
There’s something magical about the smell of sugar cookies baking in the oven. It brings back warm memories of family gatherings and holiday cheer. Plus, they taste just as good as they smell!
What You Need
- 3 cups 3 cups all-purpose flour (360 g) – For a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- 1 tsp 1 tsp baking powder – This helps the cookies rise slightly.
- 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp salt – Balances the sweetness.
- 1 cup 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 g) – Make sure it’s at room temperature.
- 1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300 g) – You can use brown sugar for a richer flavor.
- 1 1 large egg – Room temperature works best.
- 1 tsp 1 tsp vanilla extract – For a lovely aroma and flavor.
- 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp almond extract – Optional, but adds a nice touch.
Time to Cook
Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Total: 30 minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Make-Ahead: You can make the dough a day in advance.
Steps to Make It
- Start by preheating your oven to 350 °F. This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the baking powder and salt throughout the flour.
- In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. You should see a pale yellow color and feel a soft texture, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture. Mix until everything is well combined and smooth, which should take about a minute.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. The dough will be soft but not sticky, so don’t overmix it.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the cookies hold their shape when baked, so it’s worth the wait.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out your favorite shapes, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. They should be lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up a bit and makes them easier to handle.
Make It Perfect
- For perfectly shaped cookies, make sure your dough is well-chilled before cutting.
- Use a little flour on your rolling pin to prevent sticking.
- If the dough is too soft, chill it for an additional 15 minutes.
Mix It Up
- Add sprinkles or colored sugar on top before baking for a festive touch.
- Try different extracts like lemon or peppermint for a unique flavor.
Perfect Partners
- Pair these cookies with a glass of milk or hot cocoa.
- They also go great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a fun dessert.
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FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the dough a day in advance and store it in the fridge.
How should I store leftover cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes, you can freeze baked cookies for up to three months. Just make sure they are completely cooled before freezing.
What can I substitute for butter?
You can use coconut oil or margarine as a dairy-free alternative.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
This usually happens if the dough is too warm. Make sure to chill it properly before baking.
Conclusion
These perfect sugar cookies for Christmas are sure to become a family favorite. With this easy cutout recipe, you’ll be able to create delicious cookies that are perfect for decorating and sharing. Happy baking!
Perfect Sugar Cookies for Christmas Easy Cutout Recipe
Equipment
- Oven
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie cutters
Ingredients
Main
- 3 cups all-purpose flour For a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
- 1 tsp baking powder This helps the cookies rise slightly
- 0.5 tsp salt Balances the sweetness
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened and at room temperature
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar You can use brown sugar for a richer flavor
- 1 large egg Room temperature works best
- 1 tsp vanilla extract For a lovely aroma and flavor
- 0.5 tsp almond extract Optional, but adds a nice touch
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F to ensure even baking and perfect golden cookies.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute.
- In another bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture and mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to help the cookies hold their shape.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick and cut shapes with cookie cutters.
- Place cutouts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to firm up.