Description
Soft Sugar Cookies that stay tender and hold their shape well, perfect for decorating with your favorite frosting.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup salted butter, softened (1 and 1/2 sticks)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 & 3/4 teaspoons almond extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups flour, spooned and leveled
Instructions
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and fluffy, 1-2 minutes.
- Add the softened cream cheese and beat for 1 minute until well incorporated.
- Add the sugar and beat well, 1-2 minutes, until fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Beat well. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- Add salt and flour and beat until just barely combined, scraping the sides and bottom again. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough soft.
- Scrape the dough onto plastic wrap or into a container. Cover tightly and chill for 2 hours in the fridge or 1-2 hours in the freezer.
- When dough is chilled, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line 2-3 baking sheets with silpat mats or parchment paper.
- Prepare a work surface with a light dusting of flour.
- Split the dough in half if you have not already. Keep unused dough refrigerated.
- Use floured hands to flatten the dough slightly, then roll it to about 3/8 inch thickness.
- Lightly dust cookie cutters with flour. Press firmly into the dough. Wipe away excess dough from the cutter edge before placing on the pan.
- Place shaped dough on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1 inch between cookies. Bake cookies of the same shape together.
- If cookies warm up, place the baking sheet in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes.
- Scrape excess dough, knead it together once or twice (minimally), and roll out again to 3/8 inch. Keep refrigerated as needed.
- Bake shaped cookies at 350 for about 9 minutes for smaller ones, and 10–11 minutes for larger ones. Cookies should be barely browned on the bottom, not browned on top.
- Leave cookies on the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer immediately to a covered container until completely cooled.
- Frost cookies with your preferred frosting once cool.
Notes
- These cookies stay soft and flavorful, holding their shape beautifully after baking.
- Frost with rich buttercream or royal icing for the perfect finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American