Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies

closeup of a flower cut out sugar cookie with frosting

4.72 from 208 votes

Tips on how to make easy cut out sugar cookies. Buttery and lightly sweet, this cookie dough holds its shape when you bake it. Perfect for Christmas cookies and other holiday shapes.

Prep Time25

Cook Time12

Chilling Time1

Total Time37

Course: Cookies

Cuisine: American

Keyword: best sugar cookies, christmas cookies, cut out cookies, rolled cookies

Servings:

Calories: 155kcal

Author: Julie Clark

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour 520 grams
1/2 teaspoon salt 3 grams
1 1/2 cups salted butter (room temperature) 12 ounces
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 300 grams
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 10 grams

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine the flour and salt with a wire whisk. 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt
In a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat on medium speed until mixed well. 1 1/2 cups salted butter, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the flour mixture. Mix just until combined, being careful not to over mix.
Divide the dough in half. On a floured surface, roll out one piece of dough to 3/8" thick. Use cookie cutters and cut as many shapes as possible, re-rolling the dough scraps and cutting again.
Place the shapes on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the cookie dough for an hour.
Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Bake the cookies for 12-13 minutes, pulling the cookies out just before they start to brown.
Allow the cookies to cool for 2-3 minutes, then transfer them to a flat surface to cool. Once the cookies are cooled, decorate as desired.

Video

Notes

The butter should be stick butter, not tub butter...and not margarine! Use 100% real butter sticks. And make sure the butter is at room temperature, not fully softened or melted at all. The butter should just give slightly when you press into the stick of butter.
The amount of cookies you get will greatly depend on how thick you roll the dough and how large your cookie cutter is. I'd say you'll get anywhere from 3-5 dozen cookies with this recipe depending on those factors.

***The calories shown are based on the recipe making 36 cookies, with 1 serving being 1 unfrosted cookie. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate.

Nutrition