Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a foolproof, festive treat to dazzle your friends and family, let me introduce you to Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing. These pretty little cookies are soft in the center, hold their fun shapes perfectly, and are topped with glossy icing that dries just right—ideal for decorating. Whether it’s a holiday, birthday, or just a cozy afternoon in, these cookies bring buttery, vanilla goodness with a touch of almond (if you wish), and absolutely invite creativity in the decorating stage. They’re a must-bake each season in my kitchen, and I promise you’ll come back to this recipe every time you crave classic cut-out cookies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing lies in their simplicity: just a handful of pantry staples come together to create cookies that are crisp at the edges and soft in the middle. Each ingredient has a starring role—don’t skip or skimp to ensure perfect results every time!
- Unsalted butter (1 cup/2 sticks, softened): The foundation of flavor and that irresistible tender texture; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and helps create those lightly crisp edges we all love.
- Large egg (1): Binds the dough and lends chewiness for that ideal cookie bite.
- Vanilla extract (1 1/2 teaspoons): Delivers warmth and wonderful aroma—use pure vanilla for best flavor.
- Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon, optional): Classic bakery touch; just a hint creates an elevated, special taste.
- All-purpose flour (2 3/4 cups): Gives structure so your shapes bake up sharp and sturdy.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Lifts the dough ever so slightly for a tender crumb you can sink your teeth into.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and deepens the flavor.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups, for icing): The base of a shiny, smooth icing perfect for decorating.
- Milk (2–3 tablespoons, for icing): Adjusts the icing consistency for piping or flooding.
- Light corn syrup (1 tablespoon, for icing): Brings out glossy shine and helps the icing set smoothly.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon, for icing): Infuses the icing with a subtle, sweet aroma.
- Gel food coloring (optional): Adds cheerful color for themed cookies—gel colors won’t make the icing runny.
- Sprinkles (for decorating): The finishing sparkle; choose shapes and colors to suit your occasion!
How to Make Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing
Step 1: Cream Together Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This can take a couple of minutes and really sets the stage for tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Take your time—the creaming process incorporates air that helps with the final texture!
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Crack in your egg, pour in the vanilla, and, if using, the almond extract. Beat until everything is thoroughly combined. You’ll notice the dough start to look creamy and cohesive—this is exactly what you want before adding the dry ingredients.
Step 3: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures the leavening agent is evenly dispersed and prevents lumps of flour in your cookies.
Step 4: Mix Together and Form Dough
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed or by hand until the dough just comes together. Don’t overmix—stop as soon as no more streaks of flour remain to avoid tough cookies. The dough will be soft but shouldn’t be sticky.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half and shape each piece into a flat disk. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling allows the butter to firm up and helps the cookies keep their sharp cut-out shapes when you bake them.
Step 6: Roll and Cut Out
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk at a time to about 1/4 inch thickness. Dip your favorite cookie cutters in flour, press them into the dough, and transfer the shapes to the baking sheets. Gather and reroll scraps until all the dough is used.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges are a whisper of golden brown. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before gently moving to a wire rack to finish cooling. The cookies will be delicate straight from the oven—handle with care!
Step 8: Make the Icing
For the icing, whisk powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla until smooth and shiny. If you want different colors, divide the icing into bowls and tint each batch with gel food coloring. Adjust the amount of milk (a few drops at a time) to achieve your perfect piping or flooding consistency.
Step 9: Decorate!
Now the fun part: decorate your cooled cookies with the colorful icing and festive sprinkles. For crisp designs, let the icing set completely before stacking or storing the cookies, usually about 2 hours at room temperature.
How to Serve Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing
Garnishes
The best part about Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing is how much you can personalize them through your toppings. Classic sprinkles, edible glitter, or even a simple dusting of sanding sugar are all wonderful. Consider dividing your icing into mini piping bags with different tips to get fancy with lines, dots, and swirls.
Side Dishes
These cookies truly shine on their own, but they pair beautifully with a frosty glass of milk, a cozy mug of hot cocoa, or a bright pot of tea. For a party platter, try serving them alongside chocolate-dipped strawberries or a bowl of fresh fruit to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Package your Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing in clear treat bags for gifts, stack them in a pretty tin lined with festive tissue, or create a “cookie bouquet” by placing them on sticks before baking and arranging in a vase. During holidays, box them up for a homemade hostess or teacher present—personal touches like handwritten tags make them extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the icing has fully set, store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for busy weeks and special occasions.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze undecorated Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing for up to 2 months. Layer cooled cookies between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight at room temperature, then decorate as usual. You can also freeze decorated cookies, but make sure the icing is completely dry to avoid smudging during thawing.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat these cookies as they’re meant to be enjoyed at room temperature. If you prefer a just-baked warmth, you can pop undecorated cookies in a low oven (about 275°F) for a minute or two, but be careful not to overdo it, or the icing may melt!
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the sugar cookie dough up to three days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped, until you’re ready to roll, cut, and bake.
How do I keep the cookie shapes sharp?
Chilling the dough before cutting and again after cutting (while they’re on the baking sheet) helps your Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing hold crisp edges—for especially sharp results, try putting the cut shapes in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking.
What’s the best way to get vibrant icing colors?
Gel food colorings are your secret weapon! They provide bold color without making the icing too runny. Add just a toothpick’s worth at a time and mix to your desired shade.
Can I use different extracts for flavor?
Definitely! While vanilla and almond are classic, feel free to try lemon, orange, or even a splash of maple or coconut extract for a twist. Just be sure to use a light hand with strong flavors.
How do I avoid overbaking the cookies?
Keep a close eye on the cookies in the last minute or two—pull them from the oven when the edges are just beginning to turn golden. They’ll continue to cook a bit on the baking sheet as they set, ensuring they stay soft in the center.
Final Thoughts
I’m so excited for you to bring a batch of Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing into your own kitchen—they’re as delightful to make as they are to eat. Whether you’re celebrating something big or simply indulging a sweet craving, these cookies are sure to spread smiles. Happy baking!
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Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing are the perfect treat for any occasion. The buttery cookies are tender with a hint of almond flavor, topped with a sweet and glossy icing that can be customized with different colors and sprinkles.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Cookies: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg, vanilla, and almond extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture to form a dough. Chill for 1 hour.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough, cut shapes, and bake for 8–10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
- Icing: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla until smooth. Decorate cookies with icing and sprinkles.
Notes
- Cookies can be frozen undecorated for up to 2 months.
- Chill cut dough shapes for sharp edges.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chill time)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
