Honestly, I’ve been on the hunt for the best cut out sugar cookie recipe for years. Not only the best cut out sugar cookie recipe, but really recipes for all kinds of cookies.
My problem was, they never seemed to turn out the way I’d hoped. And for a while I even gave up. After having several batches of chocolate chip cookies fall flat…..literally. I just couldn’t take the disappointment any more. But every time a holiday rolls around, I get the itch to make a great cut out sugar cookie recipe. So when my cousin imparted the following gem on me, it was just too good to keep quiet! And today, I’m sharing with you THE best cut out sugar cookie recipe ever! It seriously gets rave reviews every time my daughter and I whip a batch up.
Best Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe EVER!
First off, I’ll let you know that the recipe isn’t even too hard. Just follow the directions step by step and the results are absolutely amazing!
- 2 Sticks Salted Butter (may use unsalted if you’d prefer)
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 Teaspoon Almond Emulsion
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Large Egg
- 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
- 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- —-NOTE: I use my stand mixer for ease. But you could manage by hand if needed.—-
- In a large mixing bowl: cream butter and sugar for at least 3 minutes until it’s smooth.
- Beat in the almond emulsion, vanilla extract, and egg.
- Set aside until the next step is completed.
- In a separate bowl, combine the baking powder, salt, and flour.
- Slowly add, a little at a time, of the dry ingredient mixture to the first bowl, beating continuously. (Use all the dry mix!)
- Once the dough becomes too stiff for the mixer, turn out onto your floured surface and finish kneading by hand.
- Divide the dough in half. (Do NOT refrigerate!)
- Roll the first half out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick and cut with desired shaped cookie cutters. (Be careful that you don’t roll too thin! If you do, just re-roll.)
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or till the edges are just barely starting to turn brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool on pan for 5 minutes.
- Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
- Frost as desired.
Special Notes:
*You can substitute almond emulsion for almond extract in equal parts. (But don’t omit completely if at all possible. The flavor it adds is phenomenal!) If you’ve never tried almond emulsion before, be sure to give it a shot before substituting for another flavor as well. I totally didn’t think I’d like it but I was SOOOOO wrong!
*If you absolutely have to chill the dough, just bring back to room temp before rolling. That will make it much easier to handle.
*This recipe yield will change depending on the size of your cookie cutters as well as thickness you roll the dough. This is just a personal preference and doesn’t alter the flavor of the cookies, just the crispiness.
*Because every oven is different, start with 8 minutes and then check your cookies. You can always add extra minutes but a burned cookie will stay burned. If you know your oven runs especially hot, drop the temperature down accordingly. The browner your cookie, the crispier the texture.
*These cut out sugar cookies are meant to be frosted. So while okay plain, they become exceptional once you top with frosting.
*Perfect for any holiday or occasion. Just change up your cookie cutters! We make this recipe at least a dozen times a year. It comes highly requested when we attend events or parties!
This cookie recipe is also a great option when wanting to do an activity with children. We’ve used it at my cousin’s daycare as well as our local MOPS group with great results.
Make sure you let me know in the comments if you give this recipe a try! And, of course, we’ve got lots of other great recipes for you to try as well!
gloria patterson
Monday 15th of November 2021
These look so good I not much of a baker but these I might give a try.
Peggy Nunn
Tuesday 31st of August 2021
This will be great for the girls when they visit during the holidays.
Lauryn R
Monday 7th of June 2021
This is my favorite cut out sugar cookie recipe! I love that it is perfect for any occasion by using different cutters and decorations! We use it all of the time, thanks again for sharing!
Kari B
Sunday 2nd of May 2021
I love making and decorating sugar cookies around Christmastime.
monique s
Sunday 24th of January 2021
We love to make cut out cookies for each holiday with different themed cookie cutters. The kids have such fun decorating them