Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Introduction

Soft cut-out sugar cookies are a classic holiday treat that can bring warmth, joy, and nostalgia to any occasion. With their soft, tender texture and deliciously sweet flavor, these cookies are a delightful addition to any festive celebration. Whether you’re baking for Christmas, a birthday party, or just a cozy afternoon with friends and family, these cookies are sure to impress. What makes them even more special is their versatility—decorate them with colorful icing, sprinkles, or sugar to match any theme or holiday.

In this article, we’ll dive into how to make the perfect soft cut-out sugar cookies. I’ll walk you through each step of the process, from choosing the right ingredients to offering tips on how to achieve that perfectly soft texture. Additionally, we’ll explore fun decorating ideas, troubleshooting common issues, and suggestions for storing and gifting these treats. Let’s jump into the world of soft cut-out sugar cookies that are as fun to decorate as they are to eat!

Why You’ll Love Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

• Soft and Tender: Unlike traditional sugar cookies that can sometimes turn out crisp and crunchy, these soft sugar cookies melt in your mouth with every bite. Their tender texture makes them irresistible.
• Customizable: You can make these cookies in any shape or size, making them perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any special event. With a variety of icing colors and decorative elements, your cookies can match the occasion perfectly.
• Perfect for Decorating: The soft dough is easy to roll out and cut into shapes, making it ideal for creating intricate designs. Whether you’re making Christmas trees, stars, hearts, or any fun design, these cookies will look fantastic once decorated.
• Simple to Make: Despite their impressive appearance, these cookies are surprisingly easy to make, requiring basic ingredients and simple steps. They come together quickly and don’t require a lot of hands-on time.
• Great for Gifting: These cookies are wonderful for gift-giving. You can package them beautifully and give them as a sweet homemade gift for friends and family.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 2-3 hours (including chilling and baking)
• Preparation Time: 30-40 minutes
• Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
• Chilling Time: At least 1 hour
• Servings: About 24 cookies (depending on size and shapes)
• Calories per Serving: Approximately 150-180 calories per cookie (depending on size and frosting)

Ingredients

To make these soft cut-out sugar cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds a nice flavor)
• 1/4 cup sour cream (helps create a soft, tender cookie)
• 1 tablespoon milk (adjust as needed)

For the Icing:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon meringue powder or egg whites
• 2-3 tablespoons water or milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (optional, for vibrant hues)

Ingredient Highlights

• Butter: Butter is the key to achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Using unsalted butter ensures that you have full control over the salt content in the recipe.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar gives these cookies the perfect sweetness without making them overly sugary. It also helps with the texture, ensuring they bake up soft and chewy.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is essential in providing structure to the cookies, but it’s the ratio of flour to fat that helps create a soft, tender crumb.
• Sour Cream: The secret ingredient for making these sugar cookies soft. The acidity in sour cream helps tenderize the dough, resulting in a delicate cookie.
• Meringue Powder or Egg Whites: These ingredients help stabilize the icing, giving it a glossy finish that hardens to a perfect texture without being too brittle.
• Vanilla and Almond Extracts: Both extracts enhance the overall flavor of the cookies. Vanilla is classic, but almond extract adds a deliciously nutty aroma that complements the sweet dough.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-5 minutes on medium speed with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
3. Add the Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. Add Sour Cream and Milk: Mix in the sour cream, followed by the milk. The milk is optional, but it helps bring the dough together if it’s too stiff. Start with 2 tablespoons of milk and add more if necessary. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

5. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough. Once everything is combined, it should be soft and slightly sticky, but easy to handle.
6. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two discs and wrap each in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This step is crucial, as it helps the cookies hold their shape when cut and prevents them from spreading too much during baking.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

7. Prepare the Work Surface: Once the dough has chilled, dust a clean, flat surface with a little flour. Roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Be sure to keep the dough lightly floured to prevent it from sticking to the rolling pin.
8. Cut Out the Shapes: Using cookie cutters, cut out your desired shapes. Place the cut-out cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Leave about 1 inch between each cookie to allow for even baking.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

9. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
10. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them to avoid overbaking. The cookies should remain soft in the center.
11. Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Decorate the Cookies

12. Make the Icing: While the cookies are cooling, prepare the icing. In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder or egg whites, and water (or milk) to form a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add the vanilla extract for flavor.
13. Add Color (Optional): If desired, divide the icing into separate bowls and add a few drops of gel food coloring to each bowl. Stir until you achieve the desired color.
14. Decorate the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe the icing onto the cookies. Use a small spatula or piping bags for detailed designs. Decorate with sprinkles, edible glitter, or candy decorations to make them even more festive.

Step 6: Let the Icing Set

15. Set the Icing: Allow the decorated cookies to set for at least 1 hour before storing or serving. This gives the icing time to harden, creating a smooth, glossy finish.

How to Serve Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Soft cut-out sugar cookies are a treat that shines on any occasion. Here’s how to serve them:

At Holiday Gatherings:

Serve these cookies on a platter at your next holiday party, whether it’s for Christmas, Easter, or a birthday celebration. They add a homemade touch and are always a hit with guests, especially with creative decorations like Christmas trees, stars, or hearts.

As a Gift:

Soft sugar cookies are perfect for gifting. Package them in clear gift boxes or cookie tins, tied with a festive ribbon. You can even add a personalized touch by customizing the decorations to suit the recipient’s taste.

With Tea or Coffee:

These cookies are also great to enjoy with a hot beverage like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. The sweetness of the cookies pairs perfectly with the warmth of a cozy drink.

Tips for Perfect Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

• Chill the Dough: Always chill the dough for at least 1 hour before rolling it out. This will help the cookies keep their shape during baking and prevent them from spreading too much.
• Don’t Overwork the Dough: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Once the dry ingredients are added, mix until just combined.
• Use Gel Food Coloring: For vibrant colors that won’t water down the icing, use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring.
• Keep the Icing Consistent: If you want a thicker icing for piping, use less liquid. For flooding (covering large areas), make the icing thinner and spreadable.
• Avoid Overbaking: The key to soft sugar cookies is to remove them from the oven when the edges are just golden. They will continue to cook on the baking sheet for a few minutes after removal.

Variations of Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

While this recipe is a classic, there are plenty of ways to mix things up:

1. Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add lemon zest and a bit of lemon juice to the dough for a citrusy twist.
2. Spiced Sugar Cookies: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the dough for a warm, spiced flavor.
3. Chocolate-Dipped Sugar Cookies: Once your cookies are baked and decorated, dip the bottoms in melted chocolate for a decadent treat.

FAQ Section for Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

• Can I freeze the dough? Yes! You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Simply wrap it in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling it out and baking.
• Can I use regular frosting instead of royal icing? Yes, you can use regular buttercream frosting if you prefer a sweeter, softer option, but royal icing hardens more easily, making it better for decorative purposes.
• How should I store these cookies? Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’ve decorated them with royal icing, they should last for up to 1 week.

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Conclusion

Soft cut-out sugar cookies are an iconic treat that brings smiles to every occasion. Whether you’re baking them for a holiday gathering, a birthday party, or just because, these cookies are sure to be a hit with their soft, tender texture and endless decorating possibilities. With easy-to-follow steps and the option to customize with colors and sprinkles, these cookies are both fun to make and delicious to eat. Enjoy every bite and create memories with these sweet, soft sugar cookies!