Perfect Sugar Cookies: 12 Joyful Holiday Treats

Oh, the holidays! Is there anything better than the smell of baking in the house, especially when it means decorating loads of amazing sugar cookies? For me, it just screams tradition and happy memories, just like my grandmother’s kitchen. That’s where my love for making food for people really started – turning simple stuff into pure joy. These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a blank canvas just waiting for your festive flair. This recipe is my go-to because it gives you this wonderfully versatile dough that’s just begging for cookie cutters. It bakes up perfectly tender with that classic buttery-vanilla taste everyone adores, making them the absolute best foundation for all your creative decorating, whether it’s for a big cookie swap or just a cozy afternoon with the family. You can find out more about my kitchen philosophy over on my About page!

Why You’ll Love These Sugar Cookies

Honestly, these sugar cookies are a dream come true for holiday baking! Here’s why they’ll become your new favorite:

• Super Versatile Dough: They hold their shape like a champ, making them perfect for all those fun cookie cutters you’ve got stashed away.
• Easy to Work With: Seriously, this dough is a joy to handle – no fuss, no drama!
• Deliciously Tender & Buttery: That classic buttery-vanilla flavor? It’s everything. They bake up so tender, it’s irresistible.
• Perfect for Decorating: They’re the ultimate blank canvas for royal icing, sprinkles, or whatever your creative heart desires.
• Holiday Ready: They just *feel* like the holidays, making them ideal for gifting, cookie exchanges, or just making your home smell amazing.

Ingredients for Perfect Sugar Cookies

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! These are the stars of the show that make our sugar cookies absolutely perfect for all your holiday decorating needs. Trust me, using good stuff makes all the difference here:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (make sure it’s nice and soft, but not melted!)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (the good stuff!)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Essential Equipment for Sugar Cookies

To make these awesome sugar cookies, you’ll want a few things handy. Make sure you have a good set of cookie cutters – the more festive, the better! A rolling pin is a must for getting that perfect 1/4-inch thickness. You’ll also need mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, and baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Don’t forget a wire rack for cooling!

How to Make Perfect Sugar Cookies: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get our hands a little floured and make some magic happen! Making these sugar cookies is honestly so straightforward, and the results are just beautiful. Follow these steps, and you’ll be so proud of what you create.

Mixing the Cut-Out Cookie Dough

First things first, we need to get this delicious cut-out cookie dough going. Grab your largest mixing bowl. We’re going to cream together that softened butter and sugar until it’s nice and fluffy – think light and airy, almost like whipped clouds! This is super important for texture, so don’t rush it. Then, we’ll add the eggs, one by one, making sure they’re fully incorporated, followed by that splash of pure vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, just give your flour, baking powder, and salt a quick whisk to make sure they’re all buddies.

Now, the gentle part: gradually add those dry ingredients to the wet. Mix on low speed, or if you’re using a wooden spoon like I often do, stir just until everything comes together. Seriously, don’t overmix! Overmixing makes for tough cookies, and we want tender, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Once it’s combined, divide the dough in half. Flatten each half into a disk – this makes it way easier to roll out later – wrap them up tight in plastic wrap, and pop them in the fridge. They need at least an hour there to chill, which is key for them to hold their shape.

Rolling and Cutting Your Sugar Cookies

Once the dough has had its nice, long chill (patience, my friends!), it’s time for the really fun part! First, preheat your oven to 350°F (that’s 175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment is your best friend here for easy cleanup! On a lightly floured surface – seriously, just a dusting is fine – roll out one disk of your chilled dough. Aim for about 1/4-inch thickness. If your dough starts to get too soft while you’re working with it, just pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.

This is where your festive cookie cutters come in! Go to town with all your favorite holiday shapes – trees, stars, gingerbread people, whatever sparks joy! As you cut out your sugar cookies, place them on those prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch between them. Don’t crowd the pan; they need a little breathing room.

SAVE IT

Baking and Cooling Your Holiday Decorating Treats

Now for the sweet science of baking! Pop those pans into the preheated oven. These holiday decorating treats usually bake up in about 8 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just *lightly* golden. They’ll continue to bake a bit on the hot pan, so it’s better to pull them out a tad early than to wait for them to get too brown – we want that beautiful light color for decorating!

SAVE IT

Once they’re out, let them hang out on the baking sheets for just a few minutes. This lets them set up a little so they don’t fall apart. Then, gently transfer them using a spatula to a wire rack to cool completely. And I mean *completely*! Trying to decorate warm cookies is a recipe for melted icing disaster!

Tips for the Best Sugar Cookies Every Time

Alright, friends, let’s chat about what *really* makes these sugar cookies perfect every single time. Little tweaks can make a big difference! First off, that chilling time? Don’t skip it! Seriously, for me, it’s the secret weapon. If the dough is too warm, it’ll spread like crazy in the oven, and you won’t get those sharp, pretty edges. That hour or even longer in the fridge is non-negotiable for us.

Also, rolling the dough evenly to about 1/4-inch thickness is key. If one cookie is super thin and another is thick, they’ll bake totally differently. I always suggest using a ruler or just getting a feel for it. And remember that bit about not overmixing? That’s so important! Too much flour development means tough cookies, and nobody wants that on a holiday goodie plate. If your oven tends to run hot, keep an eye on them closely – they bake fast! You can find more baking tips over on my blog.

Decorating Your Perfect Icing Cookies

Now that you’ve got these beautiful, perfectly baked sugar cookies, it’s time for the really fun part – decorating! The absolute *most* important thing is to make sure your cookies are COMPLETELY cool before you even think about touching them with icing. Trust me on this one; warm cookies and frosting are a melty mess waiting to happen. I love using royal icing for these because it dries nice and firm, making them perfect for stacking or gifting.

SAVE IT

For that classic holiday look, I usually start with a base coat of white royal icing, and then I have a blast with edible glitter, colorful sprinkles, or even fine details painted on with a small brush and some food coloring. For another favorite, check out my recipe for fruit pizza sugar cookies for a fun twist! These perfect icing cookies are just begging for your personal touch, so have fun with it!

SAVE IT

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Once your gorgeous sugar cookies are completely cool – and I mean *completely* cool – storing them is pretty simple. For decorated cookies, it’s best to keep them in an airtight container, with parchment paper layers between them so the icing doesn’t stick. They’ll stay wonderfully fresh at room temperature for about 3-5 days. If they’re undecorated, an airtight container works just as well!

Now, if you’re craving that fresh-from-the-oven taste a few days later, reheating is super easy! Just pop them onto a baking sheet in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 3-5 minutes. They’ll warm right up and taste almost as good as they did the first day!

Frequently Asked Questions about Sugar Cookies

Got questions about making the best sugar cookies? I’ve got you covered! Here are some common things people wonder about, from why they spread to how to store these little beauties. You can find more dessert recipes by the way!

Why Are My Sugar Cookies Spreading Too Much?

Oh, cookie spread is such a common frustration! Usually, it happens if your butter was too soft or melted when you creamed it, if you accidentally added too much sugar or liquid, or if your oven isn’t quite hot enough. For these Christmas sugar cookies, make sure your butter is just softened and that you chill that dough thoroughly! It really makes a difference.

Can I Make Sugar Cookie Dough in Advance?

Absolutely! This cut-out cookie dough is perfect for making ahead. Just follow the recipe up to step 5 (wrapping the disks). You can keep the dough wrapped tightly in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to bake, just let it soften a *tiny* bit so it’s rollable without cracking. It’s a lifesaver when you’re short on time!

What’s the Best Way to Store Decorated Sugar Cookies?

For your beautiful perfect icing cookies, storage is key to keeping them looking as good as they taste! Once they are totally dry and the icing is hard, store them in an airtight container. I like to put pieces of parchment paper between the layers so the icing doesn’t get messed up. They’ll be lovely at room temperature for about a week!

Nutritional Information

Just so you know, these numbers are estimates, and they can totally vary depending on exactly how you make them and how big you cut them! But generally, one of these delightful sugar cookies comes in around:

• Calories: 150
• Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Protein: 2g

It’s always fun to see the breakdown, right?

Share Your Holiday Sugar Cookie Creations!

I just love seeing what you all create in your kitchens! If you bake these amazing sugar cookies, I’d be absolutely thrilled if you shared your decorated masterpieces or your baking adventures with me. Drop a comment below, share a photo, or leave a rating! You can also reach out through my contact page. Seeing your holiday cookie creations brightens my day!

Perfect Sugar Cookies: Easy Holiday Cut-Outs

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Create beautiful, tender sugar cookies that hold their shape for festive decorating. This versatile dough is perfect for holiday cutters and royal icing.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 min
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
8. Cut out shapes using festive cookie cutters.
9. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
10. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
11. Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• For best results, chill the dough thoroughly.
• Avoid overworking the dough to ensure tender cookies.
• Roll dough evenly for consistent baking.
• Decorate once cookies are completely cool.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 50mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg