Roll-Out Sugar Cookies are sweet, buttery treats that are perfect for any occasion! Easy to cut into fun shapes, they’re great for decorating with icing or sprinkles.
These cookies never fail to bring smiles! I love making them with my kids, especially when it’s time to unleash those creative icing skills. Who doesn’t enjoy a cookie masterpiece? 🍪
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the main ingredient that gives structure to your cookies. If you need a gluten-free option, almond flour or a gluten-free blend can work well, but you may need to adjust liquids a bit.
Butter: Unsalted butter is best for controlling salt levels. If you’re short on butter, coconut oil or ghee can be great replacements, but they will slightly change the flavor.
Sugar: Granulated sugar keeps these cookies sweet and gives them crunch. For a healthier option, you can use coconut sugar or even a sugar substitute like stevia, but the texture will differ.
Vanilla Extract: Using pure vanilla extract enhances flavor. If you don’t have any on hand, a few drops of almond extract can add a different, but delightful, twist.
How Do You Ensure Your Cookies Hold Their Shape?
Maintaining the shape of your cookies as they bake can be tricky. Here’s a quick guide to keep you on track:
- Chill Your Dough: After mixing, be sure to refrigerate the dough for at least an hour. This prevents spreading during baking.
- Roll Evenly: When rolling out the dough, keep it evenly thick (about ¼ inch) for consistent baking and shapes.
- Use a Sharp Cookie Cutter: A sharp cutter will give you clean edges that hold up better than a dull one.
- Don’t Over-Bake: Keep a close eye on the cookies; they should come out just lightly golden. If over-baked, they may lose shape and become hard.
These tips will help you achieve beautiful, shaped cookies every time! Happy baking!
Roll-Out Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- Optional: colored sugar sprinkles or icing for decoration
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 15 minutes of preparation time, plus at least 1 hour for chilling the dough. Baking the cookies will take around 8-10 minutes. So, in total, you should plan for about 1 hour and 30 minutes before they are ready to decorate and enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that your cookies turn out light and fluffy! Set the mixture aside while you work on the wet ingredients.
2. Cream Together Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes. It helps create a nice airy texture for the cookies!
3. Add Egg and Vanilla:
Beat in the egg and pure vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture until everything is well incorporated. The vanilla adds a lovely flavor to the cookies!
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Mix until everything is just combined. The dough should feel soft but not sticky, perfect for rolling out!
5. Chill the Dough:
Divide the dough in half. Flatten each half into a disk shape, wrap them in plastic wrap, and place them in the refrigerator. Chilling for at least 1 hour makes the dough easier to roll out and shape.
6. Preheat Oven:
While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup later!
7. Roll Out the Dough:
Once the dough is chilled, take one disk out of the fridge. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Keep it even for consistent baking!
8. Cut Out Cookie Shapes:
Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes, and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Feel free to get creative with different shapes!
9. Bake the Cookies:
Pop the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a very light golden color. Keep an eye on them, so they don’t overbake!
10. Cool the Cookies:
Remove the cookies from the oven, allowing them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is essential before decorating!
11. Decorate and Enjoy:
Once the cookies are fully cooled, unleash your creativity! Decorate them with icing, colored sugar, or sprinkles as desired. Enjoy your beautifully shaped and delicious Roll-Out Sugar Cookies with family and friends!
Can I Use Substitute Ingredients?
Absolutely! You can use gluten-free flour blends instead of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version. If you’re out of butter, coconut oil works as a great replacement, though it may slightly alter the flavor.
How to Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw at room temperature before decorating or enjoying.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the cookie dough a day in advance. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. When ready to use, simply roll it out and cut into shapes!
What’s the Best Way to Decorate Roll-Out Sugar Cookies?
Once cooled, you can decorate with royal icing, buttercream, or colored sugar. For an easy decoration, sprinkle colored sugar on top before baking. Get creative with sprinkles and edible glitter for festive occasions!
