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The Best Cut-Out Sugar Cookies That Hold Their Shape

A stack of golden brown, soft sugar cookie treats sprinkled generously with sparkling sugar.
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You need a dependable recipe for sugar cookies that are soft, buttery, and hold their shape perfectly for decorating. This foolproof recipe delivers bakery-style results for your holiday baking or any celebration.

Ingredients

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  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set the dry ingredients aside.
  2. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until just combined.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
  5. Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days. Chilling is key for no spread sugar cookies.
  6. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°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. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
  8. Place the cut-out sugar cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them.
  9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. For soft sugar cookies, err on the side of underbaking slightly.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Notes

  • For the best results when rolling out dough, chill your cookie cutters briefly in the freezer before use.
  • If your dough becomes too warm while cutting shapes, return the cutouts to the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking.
  • This dough freezes well; wrap the chilled disks tightly before placing them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://bringdish.com/best-sugar-cookie-recipe-soft-cut-out/