Print

The Ultimate Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies That Hold Their Shape for Perfect Cutouts

A stack of three golden, sugar-coated soft sugar cookies resting on a small, speckled ceramic plate.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Create the best soft sugar cookies that stay wonderfully tender with slightly crisp edges. This easy recipe produces buttery vanilla cookies that hold their shape for simple decorating.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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 in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This step is crucial 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 about 1/4 inch thickness. This thickness helps achieve thick sugar cookies.
  8. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Place the cutouts onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them.
  9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just set and very lightly golden. For the softest 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.
  11. Decorate with simple icing once fully cooled, or enjoy plain for a melt in your mouth cookie experience.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough for a minimum of 2 hours prevents spreading, giving you perfect cut out sugar cookies soft results.
  • For the softest sugar cookies, use room temperature ingredients when mixing the wet components.
  • If you plan to frost heavily, bake for the full 10 minutes to give the cookie a bit more structure.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/soft-sugar-cookies-ultimate-chewy-cutout-recipe/