Description
This best cut out sugar cookie recipe yields soft, chewy cookies that hold their shape perfectly without spreading. Paired with an easy sugar cookie frosting that hardens with a gorgeous shine, these cookies are ideal for holiday decorating traditions and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sugar Cookies
- 1 cup salted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Frosting
- 4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 3-4 Tablespoons milk (room temperature)
- 2 ½ Tablespoons light corn syrup
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to help prevent spreading when baked.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure even baking.
- Roll and Cut the Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep cookies soft and chewy. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: In a bowl, combine sifted powdered sugar, milk, light corn syrup, and pure vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and glossy. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed. Divide and color with gel food coloring if desired.
- Decorate the Cookies: Once cookies are completely cooled, frost them using a piping bag or a spoon. Allow the frosting to harden at room temperature for several hours to achieve a beautiful shiny finish.
Notes
- This recipe produces soft, chewy sugar cookies that hold their shape well and do not spread during baking.
- The frosting hardens with a shiny finish, perfect for decorating cookies for holidays or special occasions.
- Keeping the dough chilled is key to preventing spreading and maintaining the integrity of cut-out shapes.
- You can custom color the frosting with gel food coloring to personalize your cookies.
- The recipe has been a trusted holiday baking tradition for over 30 years.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 111.3 kcal
- Sugar: 6.3 g
- Sodium: 89.9 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.2 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1.4 g
- Cholesterol: 27.1 mg
