Sugar cookie recipe to decorate for perfect cutout cookies every time! How to make cookies decorated is easier than you think with this baking recipe. We’ve tested and perfected this easy cookie recipe that will make your cookie baking more fun! You’ll be able to enjoy baking with kids and have an easy dessert for the holidays or theme parties.
SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE TO DECORATE
This is a sugar cookie recipe soft and melt in your mouth, but the cut out cookies dough is sturdy enough for cookie cutters and decorating.
This recipe for sugar cookies is from my friend Angela’s mom. She used to bring these to our annual DIY cookie decorating party and they were always a huge hit!
For the sugar cookie recipe, you’ll need:
- Sugar
- Flour
- Butter
- Cream Cheese
- Egg Yolk
- Salt
- Almond Extract
- Vanilla Extract
Do you cut cookies before or after baking?
For cutout sugar cookies, roll the dough and cut the cookies before baking. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet to help prevent your cookies from spreading. (The spreading is what makes you unable to recognize your cutout shapes sometimes!)
What is needed to decorate cookies?
To decorate cut-out cookies, you’ll need:
- Icing (colors of choice)
- Food Coloring (optional)
- Pastry bags and tips (optional, if making special designs)
- Sprinkles
- Colored Decorating Sugar
- Other decorating items based on holiday or theme (like candy eyes for Halloween, mini Christmas tree candy for holidays, etc.)
Do you decorate sugar cookies before or after baking?
You can decorate sugar cookies before baking with colored sugar. The sugar will melt into the cookies a little and give it some color. To ice the cookies, wait until after baking. Cool the cookies before icing.
How long after baking sugar cookies can you decorate?
To decorate your cookies after baking, you should make sure that they cool completely. Allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling racks to cool completely before icing and decorating.
Icing For Cut Out Cookies
Sugar cookie icing can be:
- Candy Melts
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Royal Icing
- Buttercream Frosting
- Marshmallow Cream
The type of icing you use for sugar cookies will depend on what flavors you like and if you are looking for a sturdy icing or more of a “flooded” icing, or that smooth, flat icing that you get from royal icing.
How long does it take for icing to dry on sugar cookies?
How long it takes for icing to dry on sugar cookies will depend on the type of cookie icing you use. In general, you should allow cookie icing to dry for 24 hours, especially if you are placing them in favor bags for a party.
Can you use canned frosting for cut out cookies?
Yes! We actually use the canned (tub) frosting for our holiday cookie parties to save time and it works just fine.
How To Store Decorated Cookies
Store decorated cookies in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Don’t store decorated cookies in the refrigerator.
How do you get sprinkles on sugar cookies without icing?
If you’re not icing the cookies, you can add sprinkles to the cookie dough before baking for a colored sugar look or, before baking, brush cookies lightly with beaten egg white and then sprinkle with colored sugar. Bake as normal.
How do you keep cookies from spreading when baking?
Greasing your cookie sheet will promote cookies to spread when baking, which can make cut out cookie shapes unrecognizable. To help keep cookies from spreading, use an ungreased cookie sheet or a baking mat to prevent sticking and spreading.
HOW TO MAKE SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE TO DECORATE
Homemade Sugar Cookie Recipe
The special trick to this sugar cookie recipe to decorate is to use an ungreased cookie sheet so that your cutout cookie shapes don't spread!
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, almond extract, vanilla extract, and egg yolk. Beat until smooth.
2. Stir flour into the sugar and butter mixture. Mix until well blended. Chill the dough for 2-3 hours, until firm.
3. Remove 1/3 of the refrigerated dough, leaving remaining dough chilled in refrigerator until ready to use. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the refrigerated dough to 1/4-inch or a little thicker (based on how you like your cookies).
4. Cut into desired shapes with lightly floured cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees ˚F.
6. Bake cookies for 7-10 minutes, or until light and golden brown. Cool cookies completely before frosting.
Notes
Leave cookies plain for frosting. If you want to put colored sugar on before baking, brush cookies with beaten egg white and then sprinkle with colored sugar.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 316Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 233mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 3g
Nutrition information is estimated. Changes to the recipe and use of different brands may cause changes to the nutritional information to vary slightly from the ones provided here.
Cookie Books for Kids
Baking cookies and decorating cutout sugar cookies is such a fun thing to do with kids, so be sure to get them involved.
Try these books about cookies to add with your kids’ baking activity:
We hope you love this sugar cookie recipe to decorate for holiday cookies (or any party theme)!
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