The Perfect Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe for Sweet Memories

Sweet memories dance through kitchens when rolling out delicate sugar cookies that connect generations with simple joy.

Crisp edges and soft centers invite playful creativity in every delightful bite.

Mixing dough becomes a moment of pure connection, where ingredients whisper childhood stories.

Sprinkles and colorful frostings turn ordinary afternoons into magical experiences you’ll treasure.

Each carefully crafted cookie carries warmth and love from your hands to eager hearts.

The smiles waiting to bloom when you share these delectable treats.

Baking these cookies promises an adventure that sparks happiness and delicious memories.

Handy Tips For Rolled Sugar Cookies

• Butter Softening Trick: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, creamy texture without melting.
• Flour Measuring Hack: Gently spoon flour into measuring cup and level off with a knife to prevent dense, tough cookies.
• Dough Chilling Magic: Refrigerating dough prevents spreading and helps cookies maintain crisp, defined shapes during baking.
• Rolling Surface Secret: Dust work surface lightly with flour to prevent sticking without making dough dry or tough.
• Cooling Technique: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes to set structure before transferring to wire rack for complete cooling.

Save And Warm Up Rolled Sugar Cookies The Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days at room temperature to maintain freshness and prevent crumbling.
• Freeze: Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if you prefer a slightly soft texture, but avoid overheating to prevent drying out or losing their delicate shape.
• Prevent Staleness: Keep cookies away from humid areas and direct sunlight to preserve their crisp texture and prevent moisture absorption.

Good Pairings With Rolled Sugar Cookies

• Pair with Sparkling Celebration: Match these delightful sugar cookies with a chilled glass of prosecco or champagne. The light, bubbly wine complements the sweet, buttery cookie perfectly, creating a festive and elegant treat.
• Create Cozy Coffee Companion: Serve these rolled sugar cookies alongside a warm, rich cappuccino or a smooth vanilla latte. The creamy coffee balances the cookie's sweetness and adds a comforting touch to your dessert experience.
• Enhance with Fruity Refreshment: Accompany the cookies with a light, zesty berry sorbet or a fresh fruit compote. The bright, tangy flavors will cut through the cookie's richness and provide a delightful contrast in taste and texture.
• Indulge with Dessert Wine Delight: Pair these sugar cookies with a sweet dessert wine like Moscato or a late-harvest Riesling. The wine's subtle sweetness and fruity notes will beautifully complement the cookie's delicate flavor profile.

Simple Ideas To Switch Up Rolled Sugar Cookies

• Chocolate Marble Cookies: Swirl melted dark chocolate into the sugar cookie dough for a rich, marbled effect that adds depth and visual appeal to the classic recipe.
• Citrus Zest Infusion: Mix in fresh lemon or orange zest directly into the dough to create a bright, tangy flavor that elevates the traditional sugar cookie.
• Spiced Holiday Version: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into the dry ingredients for a warm, festive spin that captures seasonal comfort.
• Nutty Crunch Cookies: Fold in finely chopped pecans or almonds to the dough, adding texture and a subtle nutty undertone that complements the sweet base.

Rolled Sugar Cookies FAQ Section

• Why should I chill the cookie dough before rolling?

Chilling helps prevent spreading and makes the dough easier to handle. It allows the butter to firm up, which helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking and creates a more compact texture.

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag.

• How do I prevent my cookies from sticking to the cookie cutters?

Dip your cookie cutters in flour between each cut. This creates a light barrier that helps the dough release easily from the cutter, giving you clean, crisp shapes.

• What's the best way to roll out sugar cookie dough evenly?

Use rolling pin rings or wood dowels to ensure a consistent 1/4-inch thickness. This helps all your cookies bake evenly and look professional. If you don’t have these, use two thin wooden rulers on either side of the dough as a guide.

Why People Enjoy Rolled Sugar Cookies

• Craft Delightful Shapes: Unleash your creativity with versatile cookie cutters that transform simple dough into fun, personalized treats perfect for any celebration or mood.
• Freeze and Savor Later: The make-ahead dough allows you to prepare in advance, giving you flexibility for spontaneous baking or last-minute dessert needs.
• Soft and Tender Texture: Carefully controlled baking time ensures cookies remain deliciously soft, with a melt-in-your-mouth quality that appeals to both kids and adults.
• Simple Ingredients, Spectacular Results: Using basic pantry staples, you can create bakery-worthy cookies that impress without requiring advanced baking skills or expensive ingredients.

Rolled Sugar Cookies Ingredients Guide

• Butter, Softened: Creamy base that provides rich flavor and tender texture, room temperature is key for smooth mixing.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie.

• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a crisp cookie edge.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic warm, sweet flavor to the cookies.
• Almond Extract (Optional): Provides a delicate nutty undertone, enhances overall flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary structure for the cookie, creates a soft and rollable dough.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light, ensures a soft texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Royal Icing: Smooth, glossy coating for detailed cookie decoration.
• Buttercream Frosting: Creamy, rich topping for added sweetness.
• Sprinkles: Colorful garnish for festive and fun cookie appearance.

Step-By-Step Guide For Rolled Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up The Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a soft, tender dough that’s ready for chilling.

Step 2: Rest And Chill The Dough

Split the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each into a gentle disk and wrap snugly in plastic. Tuck these flavor-packed disks into the refrigerator for at least an hour. This resting period helps the dough become more manageable and develops deeper flavors.

Step 3: Prepare The Oven

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a perfect landing zone for your soon-to-be-delicious cookies.

Step 4: Roll And Shape With Love

Dust your work surface with a light sprinkle of flour. Roll out one dough disk to a slim 1/4-inch thickness. Unleash your creativity with cookie cutters, transforming the dough into fun shapes. Carefully transfer these cookie treasures to your prepared baking sheets, giving them a little breathing room.

Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven. Watch closely as the cookies bake for 8-10 minutes, waiting until their edges turn a delicate golden hue. Remove them before they become too crisp, keeping that irresistible softness intact. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a quick 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

Step 6: Add Your Personal Touch

Once completely cooled, let your imagination run wild with decorations. Drizzle with royal icing, swirl on buttercream, or sprinkle with colorful sugar crystals. Each cookie becomes a canvas for your culinary creativity.

Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet and buttery rolled sugar cookies bring joy to holiday tables with their delicate crunch and festive charm. Delightful hints of vanilla dance across each perfectly shaped treat, inviting guests to savor classic American baking magic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies:

• 1 cup (230 g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour

Binders and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Stabilizers and Seasoning:

• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Decoration (Optional):

• Royal icing or buttercream frosting
• Sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Craft a velvety dough by vigorously creaming butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale. Incorporate egg and aromatic extracts, blending until smooth and homogeneous. In a separate vessel, sift together flour, leavening agent, and seasoning, then gently fold into the wet ingredients until a cohesive, tender dough emerges.
2. Partition the dough into twin disks, envelop each in clingy film, and nestle in the refrigerator’s cool embrace for a minimum of 60 minutes. This chilling ritual allows the fats to solidify, facilitating effortless rolling and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
3. Calibrate the oven to 350F, creating a welcoming thermal environment. Drape baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats to ensure pristine release and effortless cleanup.
4. Dust a clean surface with a whisper of flour, then roll out a dough disk to a precise quarter-inch thickness. Employ whimsical cookie cutters to transform the dough into delightful shapes, transferring each delicate creation to the prepared baking landscape with gentle precision.
5. Slide the cookie-laden sheets into the heated oven, allowing them to transform for 8-10 minutes. Watch vigilantly for the slightest golden hue along the edges; a sign of perfection. Permit the cookies to rest briefly on the hot surface before migrating to a cooling rack.
6. Once completely cooled, embellish the cookies with royal icing, buttercream artistry, or a sprinkle of festive decorations, turning each cookie into a canvas of culinary creativity.

Notes

• Ensure butter is truly softened at room temperature for the smoothest, creamiest cookie dough that blends effortlessly.
• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and create crisp, clean-edged cookies with perfect shape retention during baking.
• Use parchment paper or silicone mats for even baking and easy cookie removal without any sticking or breaking.
• Experiment with flavor variations by swapping vanilla extract with orange zest, lemon extract, or adding warm spices like cinnamon for unique taste profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 132
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 38 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 16 mg