Soft, buttery sugar cookies with colorful icing
Holiday Sugar Cookie Cutouts
Holiday Sugar Cookie Cutouts
45 minMedium
Prep Time
35 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
45 min
Servings
30
30 cookies
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Budget
$
Holiday Sugar Cookie Cutouts
Soft, buttery sugar cookies with colorful icing
Soft, buttery sugar cookies that hold their shape perfectly for holiday cutouts. Topped with smooth royal icing in festive colors for a classic Christmas baking tradition.
35m
Prep Time
10m
Cook Time
45m
Total Time
30
Servings
Medium
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
These sugar cookies are the perfect canvas for holiday decorating—they bake flat, hold clean edges, and have a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The simple vanilla dough tastes as good plain as it does decorated.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp almond extract
OvenBake
Test Kitchen Pick
Sheet Pan
Helpful Tool
Why a good sheet pan helps here
The pan is doing more work here than it looks like. A sturdy, evenly heating sheet pan gives you better browning and fewer hot spots.
This recipe benefits from more even oven contact and easier cleanup.
- Promotes more even browning
- Useful across weeknight roasts and baking
A heavy rimmed sheet pan is one of the highest-use tools in almost any kitchen.
Shop sheet pan options for this recipeInstructions
- 1
Beat butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- 2
Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract and mix until combined. Gradually add flour mixed with 1/4 tsp salt until dough forms.
- 3
Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- 4
Roll to 1/4-inch thickness and cut with holiday cookie cutters. Place on parchment-lined sheets and chill 10 minutes.
- 5
Bake at 350°F for 9-11 minutes until edges are barely golden. Cool completely before decorating with royal icing.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving
Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering
Pair with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor
Substitutions
Cream cheeseExtra 2 tbsp butter
Slightly crispier cookie without the tangy softness
Almond extractLemon zest (1 tsp)
A bright, citrusy twist on classic sugar cookies
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Vanilla Extract
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the vanilla matters
For baking and desserts, vanilla is often carrying more aroma than people expect. A better bottle gives the whole recipe a cleaner finish.
This is a small pantry move that usually makes baked goods taste more complete.
- Improves aroma in desserts and bakes
- Useful across cakes, cookies, and breakfast bakes
Vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry upgrades to keep using.
Shop vanilla extract for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Chill cut cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking to maintain sharp edges.
Use gel food coloring instead of liquid for vibrant icing colors without thinning the consistency.
Storage
Store undecorated cookies for 1 week or decorated for 5 days in an airtight container.
Reheating
Serve at room temperature; no reheating needed.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (20mg) · 30 servings
Calories120
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein2g
Carbohydrates6g
Fat15g
Fiber60mg
Sugar0g
Sodium7g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do my cookies spread?
- The dough is too warm. Chill between batches and chill cut shapes before baking.
- How far ahead can I make these?
- Bake and freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Decorate after thawing.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
View all recipes →Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.
You Might Also Like
Gluten-Free
Medium
Homemade Holiday Eggnog
25 min8 servings
View Recipe
Homemade Holiday Eggnog
25 min•Medium
VeganGluten-Free
Easy
French
Spiced Mulled Wine
25 min6 servings
View Recipe
Spiced Mulled Wine
25 min•Easy
Gluten-Free
Easy
Peppermint Candy Cane Bark
20 min16 servings
View Recipe
Peppermint Candy Cane Bark
20 min•Easy
Hard
Pumpkin Cheesecake
1h 30m12 servings
View Recipe
Pumpkin Cheesecake
1h 30m•Hard
Hard
French
Chocolate Yule Log (Buche de Noel)
52 min10 servings
View Recipe
Chocolate Yule Log (Buche de Noel)
52 min•Hard
Medium
Classic Gingerbread Cookies
40 min36 servings
View Recipe
Classic Gingerbread Cookies
40 min•Medium