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Perfect Every Time Cut-Out Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 74 reviews
  • Author: Harper
  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: 12-15 regular cookies or 36 mini cookies 1x

Description

Perfect Every Time Cut-Out Cookies are a no-fail sugar cookie recipe designed specifically for decorating. With no dough chilling required, these cookies bake up thick, soft yet substantial, and hold up perfectly to royal icing or buttercream decorations. Ideal for holidays, parties, or everyday fun, these cookies can be frozen at any stage — dough, baked, or decorated — making them convenient and delicious every time.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar (preferably sugar that has been infused with vanilla beans)
  • 1 cup salted butter, cold and cut into chunks
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking your cookies evenly.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the 3 cups of all-purpose flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder and set aside for later use.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of cold, salted butter cut into chunks and 1 cup of sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, incorporating air for tender cookies.
  4. Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in 1 egg, 3/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon of pure almond extract until well combined to add flavor and structure.
  5. Gradually Add Flour Mixture: Slowly incorporate the flour and baking powder mixture into the wet ingredients, beating just until combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl frequently to ensure even mixing.
  6. Knead Dough: The dough might be crumbly; gently knead it together using your hands until it forms a cohesive dough suitable for rolling.
  7. Roll and Cut Shapes: On a floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes for decorating.
  8. Freeze Before Baking: Place the cut-out dough shapes on parchment-lined baking sheets and freeze for 5 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
  9. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. For mini cookies, check at 8 minutes to prevent overbaking. The edges should be just set and pale.
  10. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating or storing.

Notes

  • No dough chilling is required, making this recipe quicker and more convenient than traditional sugar cookies.
  • The dough, baked cookies, and decorated cookies can all be frozen, maintaining excellent quality each time.
  • Rolling thickness of 1/4″ to 3/8″ produces thick, soft cookies that hold up well for decorating, packaging, and shipping.
  • For best results and easier handling, freezing cut-out shapes briefly before baking is recommended.
  • This recipe works excellently with royal icing or buttercream for decorating.
  • Yields approximately 12-15 regular-sized cookies or around 36 mini cookies depending on cutter size.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: cut-out cookies, sugar cookies, decorating cookies, no chill cookie dough, holiday cookies, vanilla almond cookies, roll and cut cookies

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Find it online: https://harperellington.com/perfect-every-time-cut-out-cookies-recipe/