Cookie Cutter Sugar Cookies

Cookie cutter sugar cookies are a sweet tradition, especially at holiday time.

But there’s no reason to limit cutout sugar cookies to Christmas.

Decorated cookie cutter sugar cookies make a thoughtful inexpensive gift all through the year – as party favors, birthday gifts, or just to show how much you care.

Sugar cookies are just as delicious whether simply sprinkled with sugar or fancily frosted with colorful icing.

With so many fun cookie cutters in every imaginable shape available, you can make cut out sugar cookies part of any celebration!

Sugar Cookies

Consider:

I have two great cookie cutter sugar cookie recipes here for you to choose from.

Both are delicious!

The first rolled sugar cookie recipe uses real butter and the second, butter flavored shortening so you get to choose what works best for you. Since shortening has a higher melt point, it doesn’t spread as much and can be easier to work with for less experienced cookie bakers.

A few important tips for success when making cookie cutter sugar cookies:

Chill the dough thoroughly, when instructed to do so.
Roll only a portion of the dough at a time and keep the rest in the refrigerator.
If the dough seems sticky, you can roll the dough between parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Roll the dough to an even thickness so your cookies will cook at the same rate.
The thinner you roll the dough the crisper your cookies will be. Thicker dough will result in a softer cookie.
Only place cookie dough on cool cookie sheets.
Dust your cookie cutters with flour between cuttings.
For best results bake your cut out cookies one sheet at a time in the center of your oven.
To decorate, simply sprinkle your sugar cookies with colored sugar before baking.
Plain cookies can be iced with your favorite sugar cookie icing or royal icing once baked and cooled.

Cookie Cutter Sugar Cookies Recipe #1 (with butter)

5 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups butter, softened to room temperature
2 1/4 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs and vanilla. Scrape down bowl with a rubber spatula.
Stir in the flour mixture until incorporated.
Cover the bowl, and chill the dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
When you are ready to bake the cookies, make sure one of your oven racks is in the center of your oven and preheat oven to 400F degrees.
Line your cookie sheets with silicone liners or parchment paper. Alternatively use ungreased cookie sheets.
Scoop out about 1/3 of the dough onto a lightly floured surface and return the rest of your dough to the refrigerator until you are ready for it.
Roll out dough on floured surface to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, getting it as even as you can.
Cut into desired shapes with your favorite cookie cutters.
Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven for thin cookies and 8 to 10 minutes for thicker cookies.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheets before transferring the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

This recipe makes about 4 to 5 dozen sugar cookies, depending on size and shape of the cookie cutter used.

Cookie Cutter Sugar Cookies Recipe #2 (with shortening)

One nice thing about this rolled sugar cookie recipe is that the dough doesn’t require chilling before cutting and baking.

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter-flavored shortening
2 eggs
1 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.
Line your cookie sheets with silicone liners or parchment paper. Alternatively use ungreased cookie sheets.
In a medium size bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda until well blended and set aside.
Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender or fork as you would for piecrust, until the dough resembles coarse meal. Set aside.
In a large bowl beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer or wooden spoon until well combined.
Stir flour mixture into the egg mixture until incorporated.
Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness.
Cut into desired shapes with your favorite cookie cutters.
Place cookies 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven, until set and lightly colored.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheets before transferring the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

This recipe makes about 2 to 3 dozen sugar cookies, depending on the size and shape of the cookie cutter used.

To help with your Cookie Cutter Sugar Cookies creations, you might need:

A High Quality Rolling Pin that can make rolling out cookie and pastry dough a dream.
Wilton 101 Cookie Cutter Set
Our Favorite Sugar Cookie Icing Recipes

Keep your cookies fresh while bringing a vintage touch to your kitchen countertop with this Charming Glass Cookie Jar. The stainless steel top features a silicone gasket to seal in the freshness of your favorite batches of homemade sugar cookies.