These rolled sugar cookies are fun and sweet, perfect for any occasion! With a lovely buttery flavor, they’re great for decorating with colorful icing and sprinkles.
Baking these cookies feels like a mini art project! I love making different shapes and designs. Plus, they disappear quickly—so be ready to share (or not)! 😄
What’s great about these cookies is how easy they are to make. Just roll, cut, and bake! Perfect for a cozy kitchen day, especially when the smell fills the air.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This is the base of your cookies. If you want a gluten-free option, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just check if your blend already contains xanthan gum!
Unsalted butter: Softened butter gives cookies their texture. If you’re in a pinch, coconut oil or margarine works in similar quantities, but the flavor will vary a bit.
Granulated sugar: This sweetener is key to giving your cookies the perfect sweetness. For a healthier twist, consider swapping half the sugar with coconut sugar, although it will change the color and flavor slightly.
Egg: The egg binds everything together. If you need a vegan option, try using flaxseed meal or chia seeds mixed with water (1 tablespoon flax/chia + 2.5 tablespoons water = 1 egg).
Vanilla extract: A must for flavoring! You can use almond extract instead, or even a little maple syrup for a different twist.
How Do You Get Perfectly Rolled Out Dough?
Rolling out sugar cookie dough can be tricky! Here are my top tips to make this step easier:
- Chill the dough well—cold dough is easier to handle. Letting it rest in the fridge makes it firmer.
- Always flour your surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking. You might also use parchment paper to roll between two sheets.
- Roll the dough evenly to about ¼-inch thickness. Check the thickness regularly to ensure all parts cook evenly.
- If the dough starts to warm up and become sticky, pop it back into the fridge for a few minutes.
Following these steps will help you get beautifully shaped cookies ready for decorating!
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Assorted colored sugar, sprinkles, and decorations for topping
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful sugar cookie recipe takes about 30 minutes of prep time, plus a chilling time of at least 1 hour. After that, baking takes only 8-10 minutes per batch. You’re looking at around 1 hour and 40 minutes from start to finish, including cooling time, before you can enjoy your delicious cookies!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This mixture will give your cookies the perfect texture, so set it aside for now.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, mix the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for creating a tender cookie!
3. Add Eggs and Extracts:
Now, add in the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re using it). Beat everything together until it’s well combined—this will add wonderful flavor to your cookies!
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. If it seems a bit sticky, no worries! Just add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s manageable.
5. Chill the Dough:
Divide the dough into two equal portions and flatten each into a disk. Wrap them securely in plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator. Chill for at least 1 hour, or overnight if you want to prep ahead!
6. Preheat the Oven:
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
7. Roll Out the Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, take one disk of dough and roll it out to about ¼-inch thickness. Make sure to add a little flour to your rolling pin to keep it from sticking too much!
8. Cut and Transfer the Cookies:
Using cookie cutters, cut the dough into fun shapes and transfer them to your prepared baking sheets. Leave a little space between them, as they will spread slightly while baking.
9. Decorate Before Baking:
If you want your cookies to have a festive touch, sprinkle colored sugar or sprinkles on top before they go into the oven!
10. Bake the Cookies:
Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a light golden brown. The centers will look soft—don’t worry; they’ll firm up as they cool!
11. Cool the Cookies:
Once baked, take the trays out of the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for about 5 minutes. This will help them set before moving to a wire rack.
12. Final Decoration:
After the cookies cool completely, you can go all out with your decorations! Use icing, more colored sugars, or sprinkles to create your masterpiece!
Enjoy these soft, buttery, decorated rolled sugar cookies perfect for celebrations, holidays, or just a delightful sweet treat!
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour, but it may affect the texture. Using a 50/50 mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour is often a good compromise for a healthier option while maintaining softness.
How Do I Prevent My Cookies from Spreading Too Much?
To prevent spreading, ensure your dough is properly chilled before baking. If your kitchen is warm, consider chilling the formed cookies on the baking sheet for an additional 15-30 minutes right before baking.
Can I Freeze the Cookie Dough?
Absolutely! You can freeze the wrapped disks of dough for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling and baking. This can save you time for future baking sessions!
How to Store the Baked Cookies?
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them instead, placing layers of parchment between the cookies to prevent sticking.
