There’s something magical about Cut-Out Sugar Cookies. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a birthday party, or just because, these buttery, sweet cookies bring a sense of joy and creativity to the kitchen.

These cookies bring back so many great childhood memories of baking for the holidays with my grandma. And yes, I know you’re not supposed to eat the dough but I still have to sample the dough while I’m baking.

Plus, they’re incredibly fun to decorate!

Part of the fun of making Cut-Out Sugar Cookies is how versatile they are. You can adjust the flavoring, shapes, and decorations to suit any occasion.

It’s also a fantastic activity to do with kids or friends—everyone loves choosing their favorite shapes and getting creative with the designs.

Plus, there’s nothing better than the smell of freshly baked cookies filling your kitchen as you work.

And let’s not forget how amazing they taste! The balance of buttery richness and sweetness makes these cookies satisfying on their own, even before decorating.

Looking for more fun baking projects? Check out my recipes for Almond Biscotti and classic Chocolate Chip Cookies to keep the baking inspiration going!

So, whether you keep it simple or go all out with frosting and sprinkles, you’re guaranteed a delicious result every time.

What are Cut-Out Sugar Cookies?

Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are a fun kind of cookie dough you can roll out and cut into all kinds of shapes with cookie cutters.

The dough is super simple, made with basics like butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and a splash of vanilla or almond extract.

What makes these cookies so great is how well they hold their shape while baking, which makes them perfect for decorating and creating fun, themed cookies for holidays, parties, or just because you feel like it!

Ingredients

• Butter, softened
• Powdered sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

How to make Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until fully combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours (or up to 2 days).

This step is crucial for keeping the cookie shapes intact during baking.

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.

Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.

Gather any scraps, re-roll, and cut more shapes.

Place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart and decorate with sprinkles.

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your sugar cookies!

Tips for Perfect Cut-Out Cookies

Chill Thoroughly: Don’t skip the chilling step. It’s essential for maintaining crisp shapes.

Lightly Flour Your Surface: Too much flour when rolling out the dough can make the cookies tough. Use just enough to prevent sticking.

Don’t Overbake: Sugar cookies should be slightly pale when you remove them from the oven. They’ll firm up as they cool.

Experiment with Flavors: Swap almond extract for lemon or peppermint extract for a unique twist.