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The Best Soft and Chewy Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

A stack of soft, thick, star-shaped sugar cookies dusted with fine sugar on a white plate.
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Follow this foolproof recipe for the best soft and chewy sugar cookies that hold their shape perfectly for decorating. These classic vanilla sugar cookies taste like home.

Ingredients

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  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
  2. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. This step is key for texture.
  3. Beat in the egg until just combined, then mix in the vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Stir in the sour cream until the dough comes together. The dough will be soft.
  6. Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days. Chilling prevents spreading.
  7. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  8. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
  9. Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between them.
  10. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. The edges should look lightly golden, but the centers should still look soft.
  11. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely before you decorate them.

Notes

  • For the softest cookies, measure your flour using the spoon-and-level method, or weigh it. Too much flour makes cookies dry.
  • If you plan to decorate these, chilling the cut-out shapes on the baking sheet for 15 minutes before baking helps them keep their shape better.
  • These classic sugar cookies are perfect for using royal icing or simple glaze decorations.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/best-sugar-cookies-soft-chewy-cut-out/