{Post updated January 2020)
Everyone needs a good cut out sugar cookie recipe for those fun holidays where cookie decorating is a must – Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Halloween. This simple sugar cookie dough turns out perfect every time and the hint of almond and vanilla make these extra delicious!
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, I think of these almond cut out sugar cookies. This is actually one of my very favorite types of cookies. Don’t get me wrong…Chocolate Chip is still my favorite, but I definitely have a weakness for a delicious frosted sugar cookie.
The dough is nice a thick and should stick to your paddle attachment like the picture above. However, it’s not ready to roll out until it’s chilled.
To chill the dough, simply wrap it in plastic wrap and place in freezer for 20 minutes or the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes. It will be much easier to roll out if it’s chilled and I think it allows the vanilla and most flavor to settle into the dough.
Now…to the fun part. There are a few ways you can decorate your cookies – with royal icing or with buttercream. I actually prefer buttercream but royal icing is super fun to decorate with if you’re up for it! You can learn how to decorate with royal icing by reading a blog post by Annie over at Everyday Annie. She is very talented and it is because of her blog that I even thought about trying to make these.
A simply buttercream frosting spiked with almond and vanilla are the perfect addition to this soft cut out sugar cookie. These kind of melt in your mouth and they are SO good with coffee. I simply piped the frosting on for fun but you can use a knife or offset spatula is spread it just as easily.
- Cookies
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 11/2 teaspoons almond extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Buttercream Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 3 3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Cookies
- In an electric mixer, cream butter. Add powdered sugar, blend in egg, almond extract, vanilla, salt and flour. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to bring dough together.
- Chill dough until firm. If chilling in the freezer, no more than 10-15 minutes.
- Roll to 1/4″ thickness on a well-floured surface.
- Cut with cookie cutters and place on a cookie lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cookies should not brown. Frost and decorate when cool.
- To make buttercream frosting, cream together butter and shortening. Add half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl. Add the other half with the milk, almost and vanilla and mix until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl.
- Frost cookies to your liking!
Source: Annie’s Eats who adapted from: Good Things Catered
Annie
Your cookies are gorgeous and I absolutely love them! So so cute.
Jessica Erin
Thank you Annie! Thanks for teaching me? Love love love your blog and all of your recipes!
Jessica Erin
Thank you Annie and THANK YOU for teaching me! 🙂
Elisa
Beautiful!! I share them on my page fb!
Elisa,
foodblogger on
http://www.deliziandovi.it
Jessica Erin
Thank you Elisa! I am so glad that you like them! 🙂