Name: Best Sugar Cookie Recipe for Cut-Out Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 teaspoon baking powder; 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon almond extract

If you’ve ever searched high and low for the perfect dough to create those classic cut-out sugar cookies, you probably know how tricky it can be to get the right texture—soft but sturdy enough to hold intricate shapes without spreading. That’s exactly why I’m excited to share the Best Sugar Cookie Recipe for Cut-Out Cookies Recipe with you. This recipe strikes that perfect balance, so whether you’re making gingerbread men, stars, or elegant snowflakes, your cookies will hold their shape beautifully and taste just right.

What really makes this recipe stand out is its buttery richness combined with just the right hint of vanilla and almond. I love making these for holiday gatherings, birthday parties, or whenever I need an excuse to bake something cheerful. Plus, the dough is easy to work with, rolls out smoothly, and keeps its shape well. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll have a new go-to sugar cookie recipe for every occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting the ingredients right is half the battle with cut-out cookies, and this list is simple yet purposeful. Each one works together to create that tender crumb and just enough structure, so you can roll, cut, and bake with confidence.

All purpose flour: This is your cookie’s foundation. Make sure to measure it accurately by spooning and leveling to avoid dense cookies.
Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness perfectly.
Baking powder: Gives a subtle lift, helping the cookies stay soft without spreading too much.
Butter, softened: I always let mine sit out at room temperature for a few hours; it helps the dough come together smoothly.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens without overpowering, and creates that classic sugar cookie texture.
Eggs: Binds the dough and adds richness—make sure they’re at room temperature for easier mixing.
Vanilla extract: The warm, familiar flavor that makes sugar cookies irresistible.
Almond extract: This little addition adds a delightful depth and extra dimension to the flavor—don’t skip it!

Variations

I find that the best recipes always leave room for a little personalization. Feel free to experiment with extracts, add-ins, or tweak the texture to suit your taste—or special dietary needs.

Gluten-free version: I’ve substituted all purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend, and the cookies came out just as delightful.
Lemon zest addition: Adding a teaspoon of lemon zest brightens the cookie flavor beautifully, especially for spring baking.
Using only vanilla extract: If almond isn’t your thing, just stick with vanilla—the cookies will still be delicious with a simpler flavor profile.
Decorating with royal icing or colored sugar: It’s fun to make these cookies festive—perfect for holidays or parties.

How to Make Best Sugar Cookie Recipe for Cut-Out Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by beating your softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes with a hand mixer or stand mixer. Don’t rush this step; it’s key to getting that tender but structured texture. You’ll notice it turning a pale creamy color—that’s your cue to move on.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Extracts

Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then pour in the vanilla and almond extracts. The dough will be aromatic at this stage—take a moment to enjoy those cozy scents. Mixing everything thoroughly ensures even distribution, which makes a big difference in flavor.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold Into Wet

Whisk together the all purpose flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Then gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in batches, gently mixing just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix here, or you might end up with tougher cookies. The dough should be soft, smooth, and a little sticky but easy to handle.

Step 4: Chill the Dough for at Least One Hour

Wrap your dough in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge. Chilling it firm up the dough, making it much easier to roll out and cut. Plus, it helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. If you’re short on time, 30 minutes works in a pinch—though the results are better with a longer chill.

Step 5: Roll Out, Cut, and Bake

Once chilled, roll your dough out to about 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create shapes, then transfer them carefully to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes—watch closely from 8 minutes to avoid overbaking. The edges should be just set and barely beginning to turn golden.

How to Serve Best Sugar Cookie Recipe for Cut-Out Cookies Recipe

The image shows six small white bowls and two whole brown eggs arranged on a white marbled surface. One bowl contains a square block of pale yellow butter, another is filled with a heap of white flour with a soft, powdery texture. There is a bowl with fine white sugar, another with coarse salt, and one with a light yellow liquid, possibly oil or vinegar. The two brown eggs lie next to the bowls, adding an earthy tone to the setup. The composition is simple and neat with a clean look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love decorating these cut-out cookies with royal icing—it dries hard and makes cookie stacking and gifting easier. Colored sugar and sprinkles add a fun, festive touch, especially during holidays. If you want a simpler option, a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving adds sweetness without extra fuss.

Side Dishes

These sugar cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or cold milk. For a sweet spread, I often serve them alongside fruit preserves or a little bowl of chocolate dipping sauce—turns cookie time into a mini celebration!

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these cookies on festive platters with edible glitter and fresh holly or mint leaves to make them pop. Another favorite is packaging them in pretty tins with wax paper layers—a perfect homemade gift. The best part? They stay fresh and beautiful for days.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep nicely for up to a week and stay soft if you add a slice of bread to the container—it helps maintain moisture. Just swap out the bread if it gets hard.

Freezing

If you want to bake ahead, the dough freezes beautifully. I portion mine into discs wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then into a freezer bag—ready to thaw overnight before rolling and cutting. You can also freeze baked cookies carefully layered between parchment paper to keep them from sticking.

Reheating

To refresh cookies that have been stored or frozen, I’ll pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked warmth and soft texture without drying them out.

FAQs

Can I use this sugar cookie recipe for decorating with royal icing?

Yes! The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe for Cut-Out Cookies Recipe is perfect for royal icing because the cookies hold their shape well and have a sturdy but tender texture. Just be sure to let the cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.
Why should I chill the dough before rolling and cutting?

Chilling the dough firms it up, making it easier to roll out evenly without sticking or tearing. It also helps the cookies bake with less spreading, which keeps your cut-out shapes crisp and defined.
Can I substitute almond extract if I don’t like the flavor?

Absolutely! If almond extract isn’t your favorite, you can leave it out or replace it with an equal amount of vanilla extract. The cookies will still be delicious and classic in flavor.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure to chill the dough before baking, avoid over-creaming the butter and sugar, and don’t over-mix once the flour is added. Also, baking at the correct temperature ensures the cookies set quickly and keep their shape.
Can I make this recipe vegan?

Transforming this recipe into a vegan version requires swap-outs like plant-based butter and an egg replacer such as flaxseed meal or a commercial substitute. I haven’t tried it myself yet, so be sure to test the texture carefully if you go this route.

Final Thoughts

This Best Sugar Cookie Recipe for Cut-Out Cookies Recipe holds a little piece of joy for me every time I bake it. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, it’s approachable and reliable—the kind of recipe you’ll keep coming back to for birthdays, holidays, or whenever you want to spread a little sweetness in your kitchen. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these cookies as much as I do, and that they become a beloved staple in your baking rotation.