The Best Vanilla Almond Sugar Cut Out Cookies Recipes

PERFECT VANILLA ALMOND CUT-OUT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350, with rack on lower middle position. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. It's important to measure flour accurately; use scoop/level method to ensure proper measurement. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix the sugar and butter on medium-high speed until mixture is light and fluffy, at least 2 minutes; use rubber spatula to scrape down sides as needed. Be sure to mix the full amount of time or longer. Add the egg and extracts and mix to fully incorporate.
• Switch to low speed. Gradually add the flour mixture gently mixing just until combined, stopping to scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl as needed. Do not over-mix.
• Use hands to work cookie dough into a smooth ball for rolling; if flour was measured accurately, texture will be similar to soft play-dough. It should not be sticky nor crumbly, but soft and pliable.
• Roll dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4" thick and cut into shapes. Place cookie shapes on parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze entire cookie sheet for 10 minutes, which helps retain shape when baking. (If you live in a cold region, you may even be able to place it outside. Otherwise, you can place in freezer in smaller batches if needed.)
• Transfer sheet of semi-frozen cookies straight into the preheated oven (only bake 1 sheet at a time.) Bake larger/thicker shapes (3.5 to 4 inch diameter) for 9-11 minutes and smaller shapes 7-8 minutes. *It's important to watch your first batch closely so you know how much time to bake your particular sized/shaped cookies. If they're baked a bit long, they'll be more likely to lose their shape. Cookies should be removed from oven when they seem slightly under-baked. They will set upon cooling.
• Let cool a few minutes on baking sheet and transfer to a cooling rack. Let cookies cool completely before decorating.

THE BEST VANILLA ALMOND SUGAR CUT-OUT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Cream the sugar and butter. Mix in the egg and extracts.
• Combine the flour and baking powder, then add to sugar mixture and mix just until combined.
• Roll out onto a floured surface (I like to roll out my cookies nice and thick!), and cut into shapes.
• Place on parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.

ALMOND COOKIE CUTOUTS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add egg and extracts; mix well. Combine the flour, cornstarch, almonds, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture just until blended. Shape into two balls. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut out with lightly floured 2-1/2-in. cutters. Place on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with colored sugar and/or sprinkles if desired., Bake at 350° for 7-9 minutes or until set and bottoms are lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.