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The Best Soft and Chewy Cut Out Sugar Cookies for Decorating

A stack of freshly baked, light golden sugar cookies with a textured top, resting on a white plate near a window.
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You need a reliable recipe for soft, chewy sugar cookies that hold their shape for cutting and decorating. This simple recipe delivers buttery, melt-in-your-mouth results every time.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture 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. This step is key for soft sugar cookies.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix the dough.
  5. Divide the dough in half. Wrap each half tightly in plastic wrap and flatten into a disk. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days. Chilling prevents spreading.
  6. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of chilled 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 you decorate them.

Notes

  • For the best cut out sugar cookies, chill the dough thoroughly. Cold dough prevents the shapes from spreading while baking.
  • If you want a thicker, bakery-style cookie, roll the dough to 3/8 inch thickness and reduce the baking time by 1 minute.
  • If you are making holiday sugar cookies, you can add 1 teaspoon of almond extract with the vanilla for a different flavor profile.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/best-soft-chewy-cut-out-sugar-cookies/