Description
These classic cutout sugar cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion, combining a tender, buttery texture with a hint of vanilla and lemon. Easy to prepare and ideal for decorating, these cookies come together quickly with simple ingredients and bake to a perfect golden finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- ½ Tablespoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon lemon extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl or using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg, Salt, and Flour: Add the large egg, ½ teaspoon salt, and 3 cups all-purpose flour to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Add Extracts: Pour in the ½ tablespoon vanilla extract and ⅛ teaspoon lemon extract, mixing until evenly combined throughout the dough.
- Divide and Roll Dough: Divide the dough into two equal halves. Roll each half out between two sheets of parchment or wax paper to approximately ¼ inch thickness, with no additional flour needed.
- Chill Dough: Place the rolled dough in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to make it easier to cut.
- Cut Out Shapes: After chilling, use your favorite cookie cutters to cut shapes from the dough. Lay each shape onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
- Handle Scraps: Gather the scraps of dough, reroll between the wax paper, and chill again if the dough becomes too warm to work with. Keeping the dough slightly chilled makes it easiest to handle.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are just set and lightly golden around the edges.
- Cool Completely: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets before decorating or enjoying them plain.
Notes
- Room temperature butter ensures better creaming with sugar for a light texture.
- Do not add extra flour when rolling the dough to maintain a tender cookie.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and makes cutting shapes easier.
- You can decorate these cookies with royal icing or your favorite frosting once cooled.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: sugar cookies, cutout cookies, vanilla sugar cookies, holiday cookies, butter cookies
