There’s something truly magical about gathering in the kitchen, rolling out dough, and turning simple ingredients into a picture-perfect treat that’s equal parts delicious and beautiful. That’s exactly the feeling you get with Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing. These cookies are soft, buttery, and hold their shape perfectly, with a smooth, glossy icing that invites creativity. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a birthday, or any festive occasion, these cookies are a surefire way to make memories and bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about the delightfully simple ingredients that come together to make these Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing shine. Each component plays a crucial role, creating cookies with irresistible flavor, sturdy texture for cutting, and a bright, beautiful canvas for decorating.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookies, giving them structure while keeping them tender.
- Baking powder: A little bit lifts the dough, ensuring soft, puffy cookies that don’t fall flat.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and boosts every flavor.
- Unsalted butter (softened): For that classic, rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and buttery taste.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and gives the cookies their beautiful pale golden color.
- Large egg: Binds everything together while adding richness.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and sweetness to both dough and icing—always use pure for best flavor!
- Milk: Just a splash keeps the cookie dough soft and easy to work with, and also creates a smooth icing.
- Powdered sugar: The star of the icing—dissolves effortlessly for a glossy, velvety finish.
- Food coloring and sprinkles (optional): Add a burst of color and fun—perfect for any holiday or theme!
How to Make Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing
Step 1: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This step ensures that the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, giving your cookies that perfectly even rise and balanced flavor in every bite.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream your softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Don’t rush this step—it’s what gives Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing their tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb. You’re looking for a pale, airy texture here.
Step 3: Mix in Egg, Vanilla, and Milk
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined. This trio not only adds richness and flavor but also helps bring together the dough, keeping it pliable and perfectly rollable.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Add it bit by bit, stirring until a soft, uniform dough forms. Don’t overmix—just stop when there are no dry bits of flour left. This keeps your cookies wonderfully tender.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough in half and shape each piece into a disc. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour. Chilling is key for Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing—this step prevents spreading and keeps your cookie shapes crisp and defined.
Step 6: Roll Out and Cut
After chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc at a time to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into your favorite shapes with cookie cutters and transfer to the prepared sheets. Gather and re-roll the scraps as needed.
Step 7: Bake
Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes until the edges are just starting to turn lightly golden. Keep a close eye—they can go from perfect to overdone quickly! Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Make the Icing
While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk for thinner icing or more powdered sugar for thicker. Divide and color with food coloring, if desired, for the ultimate decorating fun.
Step 9: Decorate
Once your cookies are completely cooled, have fun decorating them with your icing, sprinkles, or whatever your heart desires. Allow the icing to set fully before stacking or storing—this makes them easy to pack up or gift to friends.
How to Serve Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing
Garnishes
The beauty of Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing is that you can go as simple or spectacular as you like: add a dusting of sparkling sugar, a drizzle of contrasting icing, or top with festive sprinkles. Even edible glitter can turn these cookies into showstoppers for any party or celebration!
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a big mug of hot cocoa, a glass of cold milk, or even an afternoon cup of tea. For holiday gatherings, serve alongside a platter of other classic treats like brownies or fudge for a dessert spread everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing in a clear jar tied with ribbon for a sweet hostess gift, arrange them in decorative tins for festive sharing, or display on a tiered stand as the centerpiece of your dessert table. Get creative—let the colors and shapes match your theme!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Decorated cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer sheets of parchment or wax paper between each layer to keep the icing pristine and prevent sticking—your cookies will stay fresh and beautiful for days!
Freezing
Want to get a head start? Freeze baked (and undecorated) cookies in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months, or freeze shaped but unbaked dough on a sheet before transferring to a bag or container. Thaw at room temperature and decorate as usual for hassle-free holiday prep.
Reheating
There’s usually no need to reheat these cookies, but if you want to enjoy them slightly warm, a quick 5 seconds in the microwave will soften the texture and bring out the richness. Avoid reheating decorated cookies as it could melt the icing.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The cookie dough for Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing can be made up to 2 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator. You can even freeze it for longer storage—just thaw overnight before rolling out and cutting.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough prevents your cookies from spreading too much during baking, so they hold their cut-out shapes perfectly. It also makes the dough much easier to roll and cut without sticking.
How do I get smooth, glossy icing?
The secret is adjusting the ratio of milk and powdered sugar. For that signature glossy look on Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing, use just enough milk to get a thick, pourable consistency, and spread the icing with the back of a spoon or a piping bag for a smooth finish.
Can I use margarine or salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
While you can substitute salted butter if that’s what you have, be sure to reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe. Margarine can work, but it won’t achieve the same buttery flavor or tender crumb—stick with unsalted butter for the best results.
Do these cookies work with gluten-free flour?
Yes, you can swap in a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The texture will be a little different, but you’ll still get lovely cookies! Just check your flour blend for xanthan gum and adjust if needed so the dough holds together well.
Final Thoughts
Baking Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing is more than a kitchen project—it’s an invitation to be creative, have fun, and share something sweet with people you love. Trust me, once you try these cookies, they’ll become a cherished tradition in your home. So grab your favorite cookie cutters and make a batch soon—your taste buds (and friends!) will thank you.
Print
Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Icing are perfect for any occasion. The tender, buttery cookies are topped with a sweet icing that can be customized with different colors and sprinkles.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Icing:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- food coloring and sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out one dough disc to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters and transfer to prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are just lightly golden.
- Ice the Cookies: For the icing, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust thickness by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed. Add food coloring if desired, and decorate cooled cookies. Allow icing to set before storing.
Notes
- Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading.
- Decorated cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus chilling)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
