Soft and Chewy Cut Out Sugar Cookies

These soft and chewy cut out sugar cookies hold their shape perfectly for decorating, with a tender crumb and buttery vanilla flavor that makes them ideal for any occasion.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 2 30

Course cut out sugar cookie recipe, Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24 servings

Calories 145 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a flat disk, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface (or between two sheets of parchment), roll one disk of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes and transfer to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the centers look slightly soft. Do not overbake.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Notes

1. Storage: Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
2. Decorated cookies can be stored in a single layer for up to 5 days.
3. Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough disks for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and cutting.
4. Substitution: For a citrus version, add 1 tablespoon of lemon or orange zest with the vanilla extract.
5. Tip: If the dough cracks while rolling, let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes to soften slightly.