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Soft and Sturdy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

A stack of freshly baked, golden maple leaf shaped sugar cookie treats resting on a white plate.
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This recipe yields soft, buttery sugar cookies that hold their shape perfectly for cutting out shapes and decorating.

Ingredients

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  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
  5. Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  6. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out desired shapes using cookie cutters.
  8. Place the cutouts onto the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart.
  9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still look soft.
  10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Notes

  • For best results when cutting shapes, chill the rolled-out dough for 10 minutes before cutting.
  • If you plan to decorate, use a simple royal icing recipe; this cookie base is sturdy enough to support it.
  • For extra soft cookies, slightly reduce the baking time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://magazinemeal.com/best-sugar-cookie-recipe-cutouts/