Decorating classic cut-out sugar cookies looks like so much fun for kids, and it’s totally appropriate for adults too, right? 😉 This is crazy, but I don’t remember ever doing this as a kid and I’m wondering why the heck not!? I just got together with some girlfriends for a baking and movie night and for the first time we cut out and decorated sugar cookies. It was magical! We had so much fun together and the prep work was surprisingly easy.
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These easy cut-out sugar cookies are soft with a hint of almond, and they hold their shape so every star, tree and mitten looks just like the cutter. Christmas is our favorite time to make them, but swap the cookie cutters and frosting colors and they work for Valentine’s Day, Easter, birthdays or any party.
Grab your girls and create your own #bakingwithbabes night!
Things to Know Upfront/Quick Tips
- Grab a couple tubes of frosting in different colors. I used Wilton’s 3-Color Frosting Set and picked it up from Target in the holiday candy/snack aisle.
- You will want lots of different edible sprinkles, beads, toppings, etc.
- Pick out an assortment of your favorite shaped cookie cutters. You can get this great Wilton 18 piece Holiday Set from Amazon.
- You will need to chill the dough for about an hour prior to rolling the dough out and cutting out your shapes prior to baking.
🍪 Crumbs of Knowledge
- Chill the dough for an hour. Cold dough is easier to roll and keeps your cutout shapes sharp.
- Work in two batches. Divide the dough in half and roll on a floured counter, parchment or baking mat.
- Roll to an even 1/4 inch. Even thickness means every cookie bakes at the same rate.
- Don’t let them brown. Bake just 5 to 7 minutes. Golden cookies are overbaked and will crack as they cool.
- Cool completely before frosting. Frosting melts and slides on warm cookies.
- Grab a few frosting tubes. Different colors make decorating easy and fun for kids (and grown-ups!).
What You Need
For the Cookies
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp (6g) baking soda
- 1 tsp (3g) cream of tartar
- Pinch of salt (if desired)
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 3/4 tsp (3g) vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp (3g) almond extract
For Decorating
- Frosting tubes in different colors (red, white, green, yellow, blue, etc.) or your favorite canned frosting to spread on cookies
- Edible sprinkles, beads, glitter, etc.
Step by Step
- In a medium size bowl combine your flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and pinch of salt (if desired). Set aside.
- Cream your sugar and butter. Mix until light and fluffy.
- Add in your egg, vanilla and almond extracts. Mix until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl if needed.
- Grab your dough and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in fridge for about 1 hour.
- Set your oven to 375 degrees.
- Prep a couple baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cut/divide your dough in two pieces. Flour your surface (counter or you can also do this on parchment paper or baking mats) and roll your dough out until it is about 1/4 inch thick.
- Grab your cookie cutters and get cutting! Place your cutouts on your baking sheet.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes. Every oven is different so be sure to watch them. You don’t want them golden but just cooked or they will crack when cooling.
- Let cool on counter top/cooling rack.
- Once cooled, frost away! Use your imagination!
Enjoy!
More Cookies to Bake
Building a holiday cookie tray? Add our Glazed Gingerbread Cookies, Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, The Snickerdoodle and Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Giving cookies away? Our printable Baked with Love Gift Tags & Labels make every plate gift-ready, and our Cookie Exchange Party Kit has everything for a cookie swap.
Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Frosting
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 300g
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 300g
- 1 tsp baking soda 6g
- 1 tsp cream of tartar 3g
- pinch salt if desired
- 1 cup unsalted butter 227g, softened
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract 3g
- 3/4 tsp almond extract 3g
For Decorating
- frosting tubes in different colors or your favorite canned frosting
- edible sprinkles, beads or glitter
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl combine your flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and pinch of salt (if desired). Set aside.
- Cream your sugar and butter. Mix until light fluffy.
- Add in your egg, vanilla and almond extracts. Mix until combined. Scrap sides of bowl if needed.
- Grab your dough and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in fridge for about 1 hour.
- Set your oven to 375 degrees.
- Prep a couple baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cut/Divide your dough in two pieces. Flour your surface (counter or you can also do this on parchment paper or baking mats) and roll your dough out until it is about 1/4 inch thick.
- Grab your cookie cutters and get cutting! Place your cutouts on your baking sheet.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes. Every oven is different so be sure to watch them. You don’t want them golden but just cooked or they will crack when cooling.
- Let cool on counter top/cooling rack.
- Once cooled, frost away! Use your imagination!
