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The Ultimate Soft Sugar Cookies That Hold Their Shape for Cutouts

Two round, golden soft sugar cookies stacked slightly on a white plate, topped with coarse sugar crystals.
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You need this recipe for soft sugar cookies that stay wonderfully tender and melt in your mouth, yet hold their shape perfectly for decorating. This easy recipe delivers bakery-style results every time you bake.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. 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. Chilling is key for no spread sugar cookies.
  6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one chilled dough disk to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out your desired shapes using cookie cutters.
  8. Place the cut shapes onto the prepared baking sheets.
  9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just set and very lightly golden. For thicker, fluffier sugar cookies, aim for closer to 8 minutes.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. These homemade sugar cookies stay soft for days.

Notes

  • For the softest bites, slightly underbake the cookies by one minute. They will firm up as they cool.
  • If you plan to decorate, allow the cookies to cool completely before applying frosting. This classic sugar cookie recipe works well with buttercream.
  • Chill the cut-out shapes on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking to help them maintain their perfectly shaped form.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/soft-sugar-cookies-recipe-holds-shape/