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Perfect Soft Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts – Easy Holiday Recipe

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These soft, tender sugar cookies hold their shape beautifully thanks to a secret ingredient: cream cheese. Perfect for holiday decorating, this easy recipe yields bakery-quality cookies every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 5–6 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat softened butter and cream cheese on medium speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down sides.
  2. Add granulated sugar and beat on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until pale and doubled in volume. Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Beat on low until just combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture on low speed, mixing until just combined. Finish folding by hand with a spatula.
  4. Divide dough in half, flatten into 1-inch thick disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to 3 days).
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk to ¼-inch thickness. Cut into shapes and transfer to prepared sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.
  6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Edges should be just barely golden. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  7. For royal icing: In a clean mixer bowl, combine powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add warm water and vanilla extract. Beat on low until combined, then on medium-high for 4-5 minutes until thick, glossy, and holds stiff peaks. Thin for flooding consistency with a few drops of water.
  8. Decorate: Use thick icing for outlines, let dry 10 minutes. Use thin icing for flooding. Let dry at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight before stacking.

Notes

Chill dough for at least 2 hours to prevent spreading. For best results, chill cutout shapes on baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking. Royal icing needs at least 4 hours to set; overnight is best. Cookies taste even better the day after baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookies, Christmas cookies, soft sugar cookies, cutout cookies, cream cheese sugar cookies, holiday baking, easy sugar cookies

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/perfect-soft-christmas-sugar-cookie-cutouts-easy-holiday-recipe/