Description
These Rolled Sugar Cookies are buttery, tender, and perfect for decorating. Whether for holidays, special occasions, or just for fun, this recipe creates cut-out cookies that hold their shape and taste amazing with or without frosting.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Makes about 24 cookies (depending on size)
- For the cookies:
- 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- For decoration (optional):
- Royal icing or buttercream frosting
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) and mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the dough:
- Divide the dough into two portions, flatten each into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days) to make the dough easier to roll.
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Roll and cut the dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes, and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the cookies:
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden. Do not overbake to keep the cookies soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate (optional):
- Once the cookies are fully cooled, decorate them with royal icing, buttercream frosting, or sprinkles as desired.
Notes
- For even shapes, chill the cut-out cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.
- Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Decorated cookies can be stored in a single layer for up to 3 days.
- Freeze unbaked cookie dough for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting.