Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are a delightful holiday treat perfect for decorating and sharing with loved ones. These classic, buttery cookies hold their shape well and pair beautifully with sweet, colorful icing for festive fun.

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups butter shortening (Crisco) or real butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon softened butter (for icing)
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
• 2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract (for icing)
• Food coloring (optional, for icing)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the shortening, sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Then mix in the eggs thoroughly.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt using a fork.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture, mixing just until combined. Do this a little at a time for even blending.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour to chill.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare baking sheets by spraying them with nonstick cooking spray or lining with parchment paper.
6. Step 6: Lightly flour a clean surface and your rolling pin. Roll out one dough ball at a time to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
7. Step 7: Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, placing them close together to minimize waste. Re-roll leftover dough once for additional cookies.
8. Step 8: Arrange cookies about 1-2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
9. Step 9: Bake for 6-8 minutes until edges are set but not browned. Let cookies cool completely before decorating.
10. Step 10: To make the icing: whisk softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, and clear vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust thickness with more powdered sugar if needed, then add food coloring as desired.
11. Step 11: Decorate cookies with icing and sprinkles. Let icing set for a couple of hours before stacking or storing.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute real butter for shortening to add a richer flavor, but chill the dough well to maintain structure.
• Use clear vanilla in icing to keep colors vibrant and avoid discoloration.
• For festive variation, divide icing into separate bowls and tint with different food coloring before decorating.
• Roll dough between sheets of parchment paper for easier handling and less flour mess.

Storage

Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep fresh for up to one week. If stacking, ensure icing is fully set to prevent sticking. For longer storage, freeze cookies without icing and decorate after thawing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use butter instead of shortening?

Yes, using butter will give the cookies a richer taste, but the texture may be slightly different. Chilling the dough longer can help maintain the cookie shape.

How thick should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. This thickness helps the cookies hold their shape and makes them sturdy enough for handling and decorating.

Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 62 reviews

• Author: Aiden
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (including chilling and cooling times)
• Yield: About 4 dozen cookies 1x

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Description

These classic Christmas Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are a festive treat made with a tender buttery dough that is easy to roll and shape. Perfect for holiday baking, they feature a simple sugar cookie base flavored with vanilla and topped with colorful, smooth icing. The cookies are soft yet sturdy, ideal for decorating with your favorite designs and sprinkles.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 1 1/3 cups butter shortening (Crisco) or real butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 Tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Icing

• 1 Tablespoon softened butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• Food coloring (various colors as desired)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter shortening, sugar, milk, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until smooth. Then add the eggs and mix well.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
3. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the shortening mixture, mixing gently just until combined, to avoid overworking the dough.
4. Chill the dough: Divide the dough into two halves, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up for easier rolling.
5. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
6. Roll out the dough: On a floured countertop, flour your rolling pin and one ball of dough at a time, rolling to an even 1/4-inch thickness.
7. Cut shapes: Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut shapes, placing cookies about 1-2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Re-roll scraps once for additional cookies.
8. Bake cookies: Bake the cookies for 6-8 minutes at 375°F until edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool completely on wire racks before icing.
9. Make the icing: In a bowl, whisk together softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, and clear vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust thickness by adding more powdered sugar if needed. Divide into bowls and color with food coloring as desired.
10. Decorate and set icing: Ice the cooled cookies using colored icing and decorate with sprinkles if desired. Let the icing set for several hours before stacking or storing in an airtight container.

Notes

• Use shortening or real butter depending on preference; shortening can yield slightly thicker, more stable cookies.
• Be careful not to overmix the flour into the wet ingredients to keep cookies tender.
• Chilling dough is essential for easy rolling and clean cookie shapes.
• If the dough becomes too soft when rolling, return it to the fridge to chill again.
• Leftover dough scraps can be rolled once more but may not hold shape well after multiple rollings.
• Adjust icing consistency by adding powdered sugar to thicken or milk to thin as needed.
• To get vibrant colors, use gel-based food coloring which won’t thin the icing.
• Store cookies in an airtight container once icing is fully dry to maintain freshness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes per batch
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas sugar cookies, cut-out cookies, holiday baking, decorated cookies, easy sugar cookies, cookie icing