Description
Sweet memories dance through Grandma’s Classic Cut-Out Sugar Cookies, bringing nostalgia and festive cheer to holiday gatherings. Delicate, buttery rounds with crisp edges offer sweet comfort and joyful connections you’ll cherish with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2.75 cups (650 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 0.75 cup (170 g) salted butter
Base Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon almond extract
Icing Ingredients:
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
- 3–4 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring
Instructions
- Craft a velvety dough by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in one bowl. In another, cream butter and sugar until airy and pale. Incorporate eggs individually, blending thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla and almond extracts until harmonious.
- Partition dough into two equal segments. Gently roll each portion to ¼-inch thickness between parchment sheets. Encase in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats for optimal non-stick surface.
- Extract chilled dough and unleash creativity with cookie cutters. Position shaped cookies 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges transform to delicate golden hues. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transition to wire cooling racks.
- For optional decoration, whisk powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla until glossy and smooth. Adjust texture by incrementally adding milk or sugar. Introduce gel food coloring for vibrant hues. Apply icing via spreading or piping techniques. Allow decorated cookies to set for 30 minutes to several hours.
Notes
- Swap out almond extract with vanilla for a nut-free version that’s safe for those with allergies.
- Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain clean, crisp cookie shapes during baking.
- Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for vibrant icing without changing the consistency.
- Dust work surface with powdered sugar instead of flour to prevent dry, tough cookies and maintain delicate texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg