Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies, often referred to as Christmas Sugar Cookies, are a sweet, delightful treat that truly embodies the spirit of the holiday season. You can enjoy these vibrant cookies that are perfect for decorating and sharing with friends and family. Each bite offers a delightful mix of buttery softness and sweet flavors, making them an absolute favorite for cookie trays, holiday parties, and festive gatherings. The simple yet versatile nature of these cookies means they can be cut into various shapes and decorated in countless ways, allowing for creativity to flow and adding a personal touch to your holiday celebrations.
Why We Love This Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
What makes these Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies so special? First and foremost, the texture is a showstopper. They are soft, chewy, and somehow manage to melt in your mouth. The balanced sweetness combined with a hint of almond and vanilla extracts elevates their flavor profile, ensuring they appeal to everyone from kids to adults. You can personalize each cookie with vibrant frosting and sprinkles, turning baking into a joyful, family-friendly activity. This recipe not only brings delicious cookies to your table but also creates cherished memories that you can share with loved ones, connecting generations through the magic of baking.
Ingredients for Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
To craft these yummy cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (for frosting)
- 2 to 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Salt to taste (for frosting)
- 2-3 tsp milk (for frosting)
How to Make Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
Making these delightful Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies is an enjoyable process that results in cookies you’ll be proud to share. Here’s how you can do it step by step:
- Begin by creaming the softened butter in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer and beat the butter for about two minutes until it becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it perfectly aerates the butter for a tender cookie texture.
- Next, gradually add the sugar to the creamed butter. Mix well for an additional two minutes, ensuring that the mixture is fully combined and fluffy.
- Now, it’s time to add the eggs. Add them one at a time, allowing the first egg to blend in completely before adding the next. Continue to mix until everything is well incorporated. Don’t forget to pour in the vanilla and almond extracts for that rich flavor.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps combine all the dry ingredients evenly while also introducing some air.
- Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. It’s best to do this gradually to avoid creating a messy splash of flour. Once fully combined, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least one hour. Chilling the dough is essential for easier handling and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- After the chilling time, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to avoid any sticking while baking.
- On a floured surface, roll out your chilled cookie dough to about 1/4 inch in thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes. Transfer these shapes onto the prepared baking sheet, placing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Repeat the rolling and cutting process with any leftover dough. You can roll out scraps again to cut even more cookies.
- Bake the cookies for 8 to 11 minutes. Aim for them to look set and slightly puffy. Keeping them slightly underbaked (8-9 minutes) will ensure a soft cookie, while baking them a little longer will yield a crispier texture (10-11 minutes). Trust your eyes! Let them cool on a wire rack completely after baking.
- Prepare for frosting! For the frosting, mix the softened butter with powdered sugar, adding 2 to 3 cups to reach your desired sweetness. Add the vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and enough milk to achieve a spreadable consistency.
How to Serve Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
Serving your Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies is half the fun. Once cooled and frosted, they can be beautifully arranged on a festive platter, making them an eye-catching centerpiece for your holiday gatherings. You can also place the cookies in decorative boxes or bags to create delightful gifts for friends and family. Whether alongside a cup of milk, hot cocoa, or coffee, these cookies make for a perfect sweet treat. Don’t hesitate to let everyone get involved in the decorating process, as this is an enjoyable activity for all ages. As you serve these cookies, take a moment to savor the smiles they bring to those around you.
Expert Tips for Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
- Chill Your Dough: Don’t skip the chilling process! Allowing the dough to rest in the fridge makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies maintain their shape when baked.
- Don’t Overbake: The key to achieving a soft cookie is to slightly underbake them. Keep an eye on your cookies and be ready to pull them out of the oven once they look just set, as they will continue to cook slightly once removed.
- Variations: Feel free to mix things up! For a fun twist, incorporate different extracts, like peppermint, or add colorful sprinkles into the frosting. You can even add candy canes or chocolate chips for added flavor and texture.
- Frosting Consistency: Ensure your frosting is smooth and spreadable but not runny. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it. Conversely, if it’s too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar until the right consistency is achieved.
- Turn on Your Creativity: Decorating is where the magic happens. Use various colored frostings, piping bags, and sprinkles to create festive designs. This allows you to personalize each cookie, making them not only delicious but also beautiful.
How to Store Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
To keep your Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can be kept for about a week, maintaining their soft texture. If you plan to store them longer, consider freezing the cookies without frosting. Simply place them in a freezer-safe container with layers of parchment paper in between to avoid sticking. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature before frosting and serving. The careful storage of these cookies means you can enjoy your festive creations for days to come.
Variations of Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
One of the most wonderful aspects of Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies is their flexibility. You can easily adapt this basic recipe to create variations that suit your taste or occasion:
- Flavored Add-Ins: Swap out the almond extract for orange or lemon zest for a zestier flavor. Adding a teaspoon of citrus zest can brighten up the sweetness in a delightful way.
- Festive Shapes: Embrace the holidays by using cookie cutters shaped like stars, snowmen, or Christmas trees. You can even personalize the cookies further by cutting them into initials or holiday symbols.
- Decorative Themes: For a themed event, consider color-coordinated frosting and sprinkles that match your celebration. Create red and green cookies for Christmas, pastel colors for Easter, or vibrant colors for a summer party.
- Frosting Techniques: Experiment with frosting techniques, such as using edible glitter or drizzling contrasting colors over the top. You can also use fondant for a more polished and professional appearance.
- Combine with Other Treats: Try adding crushed peppermint candies to your frosting for a crunchy texture. Alternatively, dip half of the cookies in white chocolate for a delightful gourmet touch.
FAQ about Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
What makes Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies different from regular sugar cookies?
Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies are designed to be soft and chewy, while regular sugar cookies may have a crispier texture. The chilling process and the creaming of butter, along with the careful baking time, contribute to their softness.
Can I freeze Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies?
Yes, you can! For best results, freeze the undecorated cookies in an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw and then frost as desired.
How can I enhance the flavor of the cookies?
Incorporating different extracts such as lemon or peppermint, or adding spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg can elevate the flavor of your cookies. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your favorite combination!
What kind of frosting works best for decorating?
Royal icing or a buttercream frosting are excellent choices for decorating Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies. Both provide a smooth surface for decorating and can be colored to match your themes.
Why is it important to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough helps to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking, allowing them to maintain their shape. It also makes the dough easier to roll out and cut.
Soft Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
For the Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 to 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Salt to taste
- 2-3 tsp milk
Instructions
Preparation
- Cream the softened butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the sugar and mix well.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then add the vanilla and almond extracts.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a floured surface, roll out the chilled cookie dough to about 1/4 inch in thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Place the shapes onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8 to 11 minutes until slightly puffy. Let cool on a wire rack.
Frosting
- Mix softened butter with powdered sugar, add vanilla and a pinch of salt, plus milk until spreadable.
Serving
- Decorate cooled cookies and serve on a festive platter.
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