Classic Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
These buttery cut-out cookies bake up with lightly crisp edges and pleasantly chewy centers. The dough holds its shape well after chilling, making it suitable for everything from simple circles to decorative cookie-cutter designs. Serve them plain, add colored sugar before baking, or let them cool and finish them with your favorite frosting.
Print Pin Servings: 20 Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Fit a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and granulated sugar and mix for about 45 seconds, stopping once the two are thoroughly combined. Do not continue beating until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, then mix well for about 1 minute.
- Scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl so everything is evenly incorporated. Add the flour and salt and continue mixing only until the dough comes together and no visible streaks of flour remain.
- Shape the dough into a flat oval disk and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or leave it chilled overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Lightly flour your work surface and use a rolling pin to roll the chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into your desired shapes and carefully move the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets. If you would like to decorate them with colored sugar, add it before the cookies go into the oven.
- Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, adjusting the baking time according to cookie size. Mini cookies generally need about 8 minutes, medium cookies about 10 minutes, and larger cookies about 12 minutes. Remove them from the oven when the edges are only beginning to turn golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool completely before transferring them to a wire rack. Once fully cooled, frost as desired or serve them without frosting.
