Best Cut-Out Sugar Cookie Recipe for Cookie Decorating

When it comes to decorated sugar cookies, having the right cookie base is just as important as the icing on top. This no-spread cut-out sugar cookie recipe creates buttery, crisp-edged cookies that hold their shape beautifully, making them ideal for royal icing decorations.

Whether you're making holiday sugar cookies, wedding favors, or custom cookie orders, this recipe ensures a smooth, even surface for detailed designs. Plus, it pairs perfectly with our best royal icing recipe to create professional-looking decorated cookies every time.

Why This Sugar Cookie Recipe is Perfect for Royal Icing

• No-Spread Dough: These cookies bake evenly without spreading, ensuring clean edges for precise decorating.
• Flat, Smooth Surface: A balanced butter-to-flour ratio creates a stable yet soft cookie base, allowing icing to adhere perfectly.
• Mildly Sweet Flavor: The subtle vanilla and almond flavors complement the sweetness of royal icing, making for the perfect bite.
• Holds Up to Piping & Flooding: This recipe creates a sturdy cookie that won’t crumble under the weight of piped details or layered royal icing decorations.

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The Ultimate No-Spread Cut-Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup (two sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Mix until fluffy and well incorporated.

Step 2: Add the Egg, Salt, and Extracts

Add egg, salt, and extracts. Mix until it is all well incorporated.

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients

Add flour, mixing a cupful at a time, to the butter/sugar/egg mixture. After everything is well mixed, the dough should be non-greasy to the touch.

Step 4: Roll Out the Dough

Roll to 1/4 inch thickness between two sheets of parchment or wax paper. (I love my Joseph Joseph rolling pin because the guides take the guess work out of wondering if your cookies are the correct thickness and evenly rolled out.) After rolling, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.

Step 5: Chill Before Cutting

Once the dough is well chilled and hard to the touch, cut out shapes using your favorite cookie cutters and place them on a parchment paper-lined, light-colored baking sheet.

Step 6: Bake until Edges Turn Brown

Bake at 375 for 7 minutes. Remove from the oven before the first indication of the edges turning brown. Leave the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.

Step 7: Place Cookie on Cooling Rack

Remove cookies from the baking sheet with a spatula and place on a cooling rack for a few hours before decorating.

Makes about 2 dozen 3-inch cookies, but this recipe can be doubled easily if needed.  

Cut-Out Sugar Cookie Recipe Video

Baking Tips for Perfect Cut-Out Cookies

• Refrigerate before cutting: I found I achieved crisp, square cookie edges if I cutout shapes when the rolled out dough was refrigerated for about an hour. It should feel hard to the touch, like cold slices of cheese. Also, I freeze the cut-out dough shapes on the baking sheet about 15 mins before placing in oven.
• Use light colored baking sheets: I always use light colored baking sheets with parchment paper when baking cookies. Dark colored, non-stick baking sheets get too hot and can brown the bottoms of your cookies before the tops are done baking.
• Bake same day: If possible, try to bake the same day you make the dough. I learned that refrigerating prepared dough and baking it a day or two later can darken the dough. Although, this isn’t a big deal if it gets covered with royal icing.
• Bake cookies ahead of decorating: If you would like plan ahead, baking and then freezing the baked cookies works well.
• Wait a day before decorating: I always wait a day after baking to start decorating the cookie. I would leave them out to dry on a cookie sheet for a day to avoid butter bleed, or dark spots appearing on the icing. The cookies are still soft after decorating.

Recommended Baking Tools for the Best Results

• Perforated Silicone Baking Mat – Prevents spread and ensures even baking.
• Adjustable Rolling Pin – Helps roll dough to a precise thickness for even baking.
• Cookie Cutter Sets – Perfect for creating holiday, birthday, or custom shapes.
• Piping Bags & Icing Tips – Essential for piping fine details on royal icing cookies.
• Food Coloring Gel – Produces vibrant icing colors without affecting consistency.

How to Decorate Cut-Out Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Once your cookies are fully cooled, it’s time to decorate! Here’s how to get that smooth, professional royal icing finish:

Use the Right Consistency

‍For piping details, use a stiff consistency royal icing that holds its shape. For flooding the cookie surface, use thinned-out icing that spreads smoothly. For the perfect consistency, see our Illustrated Guide to Royal Icing Consistencies.

Outline & Flood the Cookies

• Outline the cookie shape with thicker icing using a piping bag and a fine tip.
• Fill the inside using flood consistency icing and a scribe tool or toothpick to spread it evenly.

Let It Dry Completely

Allow the icing to dry at room temperature for 6-8 hours or use a fan to speed up the process. Fully dried icing prevents colors from bleeding and gives your cookies a crisp, polished look.

Add Layered Details

Once the base is dry, use stiffer royal icing to add delicate piped details like dots, flowers, lace, and lettering.

Store Properly

Decorated cookies should be stored in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to protect the icing.

Ready to Bake?

Are you ready to take your cookie decorating game to the next level? With these 10 best cookie recipes for cookie cutters, you'll be able to turn out professional-level treats in no time! No more struggling with those intricate designs – simply use one of our delicious and easy-to-make recipes. Create traditional shapes like stars, hearts, and Christmas trees with ease. Get your friends over for a festive baking party where everyone can explore their artistic side. It's time to get creative in the kitchen!