Best Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe for Decorating

Whether I’m prepping for a holiday party, teaching Charlie and Claire how to roll out dough, or decorating cookies for our annual Christmas cookie exchange, this recipe never lets me down. And trust me, I’ve tested a lot of sugar cookie recipes over the years, this one checks all the boxes.

Is it just me or is cookie decorating actually the best part of baking? Give me a piping bag full of frosting and some freshly baked cookies, and I will be one happy girl! Cookie decorating is hands down one of my all-time favorite sports… I mean baking activities in the kitchen! ;)

What You’ll Need for This Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

• Unsalted Butter: I always use unsalted butter so I can control the flavor. Just make sure it’s softened to room temp for the dreamiest, creamiest dough!
• Sugar: Just the right amount of sweetness to make these cookies totally irresistible. Classic granulated sugar does the trick!
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla brings out all the warm, cozy flavor. Sometimes I’ll even swap in almond extract for a fun little twist!
• Salt: A little salt makes all the flavors shine. Don’t skip it, even in sweet recipes!
• Baking Powder: This helps the cookies rise just enough without spreading so they keep their cute cut-out shapes!
• All-Purpose Flour: Flour gives the cookies their structure. Just be sure to spoon and level it so your dough stays soft and easy to roll.

How to Make Sugar Cookie Dough for Decorating

1. Cream butter & sugar – In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs & vanilla – Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
3. Whisk dry ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine wet & dry – Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet until a soft dough forms.
5. Chill the dough – Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
6. Roll & cut – Roll out chilled dough to ¼-inch thick, then cut into your favorite shapes!
7. Bake & cool – Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes or until edges are just set. Let cool before decorating!

Pro Tip: Make this Sugar Cookie Cut Out Recipe in Advance!

This dough is a dream to work with ahead of time. You can chill it in the fridge for up to 3 days or pop it in the freezer for later. I always make a double batch before a party or holiday so decorating day feels stress-free and super fun.

How to Make Sugar Cookie Frosting

You can make the frosting while the cookies are baking or even make it ahead of time; it’s totally up to you! And if store-bought icing is more your thing, go for it. Do what works best for your schedule!

Charlie and I love making our own icing together. It only takes a few minutes and uses just a few simple ingredients. Even at the bakeries I worked at, we used powdered sugar and a little water to make the perfect cookie icing that spreads smoothly and holds its shape.

If you make it ahead, just store it at room temperature overnight or pop it in the fridge. And when it’s decorating time, let the kids pick the colors! I like to divide the icing into small bowls and hand over the gel food coloring. Watching the colors swirl together is half the fun, and it gets everyone excited to start decorating!

How to Store Sugar Cookies

Baked Sugar Cookies: Once your cookies are decorated and the icing has dried completely (usually overnight), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. I like to layer them between sheets of parchment paper to protect all those cute designs! They’ll stay fresh and soft for up to 5 days—perfect for parties, gifting, or just a sweet treat during the week.

Unbaked Sugar Cookie Dough: You can store unbaked cookie dough in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or pop it in a zip-top bag to keep it from drying out.

Can you freeze sugar cookie dough?

Yes, you can freeze sugar cookie dough! I love doing this before a big holiday or birthday party. Just wrap the dough in plastic wrap, place it in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before rolling and baking.

How long does sugar cookie dough last in the fridge?

Sugar cookie dough will last for up to 3 days in the fridge when it’s tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. I love making the dough ahead of time to keep things simple when it’s time to bake and decorate. Just let the dough sit at room temp for about 10–15 minutes before rolling so it’s easier to work with.

Prep Your Cookie Decorating Table

If you’re throwing a cookie decorating party or just want to keep things organized (and less messy!), here’s how I prep our table:

• Cover it with Kraft paper or a plastic tablecloth for easy cleanup.
• Set out small bowls of sprinkles and toppings.
• Use squeeze bottles or piping bags with couplers so you can easily swap tips.
• Have wipes or wet towels handy—things can get very messy, very fast!

Fill Piping Bags with Icing & Decorate Cookies

After your surface is ready, all you have to do is fill up the piping bags with icing, set out the cookie decorating supplies, and let the kids take it from there. With all the heavy lifting out of the way, the kids are free to simply enjoy decorating as many cookies as they want. And with everything done in advance, I could focus on having fun with Charlie and Claire and decorating a few cookies of my own. You’ll have an absolute blast seeing how creative your kids can be with decorating sugar cookies! With only a few simple preparations, cookie decorating will become one of your all-time favorite activities. Happy cookie decorating!

Baking with Kids

Lately, I’ve been really trying to get Charlie and Claire involved when we cook and bake. I think teaching your kids how to make recipes is a great skill to learn early on. Plus, it’s such a sweet way to connect and make memories. They get so excited to roll out dough and use cookie cutters. It’s the cutest thing!

Decorating Cookies with Kids

Cookie decorating with my kids is one of my favorite traditions, but let’s be real, it can get pretty chaotic! I’ll never forget the time Charlie dumped a whole container of sprinkles on the floor… I was still finding them months later in the most random places!

Whether it’s a rainy Saturday or the night before Christmas, decorating cookies is such a sweet way to spend time together. Set up a little decorating station with frosting, sprinkles, and spoons, and let their imaginations run wild. Bonus points if you sneak in a few math lessons with measuring cups, it totally counts as learning!

Planning a Cookie Decorating Party? >  Join The Conversation

Cookie decorating is such a wonderful family activity. If you’re planning a birthday party, decorating cookies is the perfect fun-filled activity to make your heart sing! What cookie recipe do you plan on making? Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Snicker Doodle Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies? With pretty cookie cutters, sprinkles and a piping bag full of icing, you will be all set for the best cookie decorating party in town!