Jolly Good CutOut Cookies

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever find yourself craving that perfect sugar cookie , the kind that just melts in your mouth? Well, get ready because these cut out cookies are about to become your new obsession.

They are buttery, vanilla-y, and honestly, incredibly fun to make.

Brief Overview

These delightful treats have been a holiday staple for generations. From the simple gingerbread men to more elaborate shapes, they bring people together.

This recipe is easy. From start to finish, you'll need roughly an hour and a half. It makes about 24 cookies.

Main Benefits

These Christmas cookie recipe is more than just a delicious treat; it is a memory-maker. Perfect for getting the kids involved, baking is a great way to create traditions! What makes this recipe special? It's simple.

But the cookies taste amazing and hold their shape perfectly for decorating.

What You'll Need to Bake Your cut out cookies

Ready to bake some magic? Here's what you'll need for these Xmas Cookies :

• 1 cup (2 sticks) softened unsalted butter
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Icing Essentials and Decorating Ideas

For the icing, you'll need:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3-4 tablespoons milk or water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles

Don't forget the sprinkles! For equipment, gather your electric mixer, mixing bowls, rolling pin, cookie decorating ideas , and cookie cutters .

Jolly Good CutOut Cookies Recipe Card

0.0 / 5 (0 Review)

Preparation time:80 Mins

Cooking time:10 Mins

Servings:24 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks/227g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg (approximately 50g), at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (5 ml)
• 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (5g)
• ½ teaspoon salt (2.5g)
• 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar (for icing)
• 3-4 tablespoons milk or water (45-60 ml) (for icing)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (2.5ml) (for icing)
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
• Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
• Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Re-roll scraps and repeat.
• Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between them. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
• Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the cookies are cooling, prepare the icing. Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate as desired with icing and sprinkles.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:120 calories

Fat:6g

Fiber:0g

Recipe Info

Category:Cookie

Cuisine:British

Jolly Good Cut Out Cookies : Getting Started

Alright, let's get baking these Jolly Good Cut Out Cookies ! Honestly, getting the right ingredients and tools makes all the difference.

Think of it like setting up your artist's palette. You need the right colours to create a masterpiece. These are Perfect Sugar Cookies every time.

Main Ingredients

Okay, so here's what you'll need for about 24 Xmas Cookies :

• 1 cup (2 sticks/227g) unsalted butter, softened. Make sure your butter is actually soft. Not melted, not fridge-cold. Soft. Trust me.
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar.
• 1 large egg (around 50g), at room temperature.
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract. The good stuff, alright? Artificial is just not the same.
• 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting.
• 1 teaspoon (5g) baking powder.
• ½ teaspoon (2.5g) salt.
• Icing, sprinkles, food coloring.

Quality indicators? For the butter, I always go for a good European-style butter. It just has a richer flavour. And honestly, the vanilla? Splurge a little.

You'll taste the difference in the final Best Sugar Cookie Recipe .

Spice It Up

Forget boring cookies. Let's add some flavour!

• Vanilla extract is a must. It gives the cookies that classic Holiday Cookies flavour.
• For a twist, add ½ teaspoon of almond extract instead of vanilla.
• Lemon zest! About 1 teaspoon will brighten up your Cutout Sugar Cookies .
• Quick sub? If you're out of vanilla extract, a splash of maple syrup works in a pinch.

Essential Baking Gear

Right, onto the kit you need. I love kitchen gadgets, but honestly, for these, you don't need much.

• Electric mixer (stand or hand mixer). If you're feeling energetic, you can do it by hand. Honestly, though, save yourself the arm ache.
• Large mixing bowl.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Rolling pin. A smooth one is best.
• Cookie cutters. This is where the fun starts! Cookie decorating ideas , anyone?
• Baking sheets.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats. These are game changers! Don't use wax paper.
• Wire rack.
• Royal icing recipe and Sugar cookie glaze.

No mixer? No problem! A sturdy whisk and some elbow grease will do. No rolling pin? A clean, smooth bottle works too. Get creative!

So there you have it. All the bits and bobs to make your Best Sugar Cookies . Now, let's get to the fun part: baking!

Jolly Good Cut-Out Cookies: My Foolproof Method

These cut out cookies are, honestly, the bee's knees. They're perfect sugar cookies for any occasion, from Xmas cookies to a random Tuesday.

I've tweaked my grandma's best sugar cookie recipe , and trust me, you'll be fighting over them. Ready for some holiday cookies ? Let's get started! "Baking is therapy," said Paul Hollywood, and I couldn't agree more.

Prep Steps: Getting Your Ducks in a Row

First, the essential mise en place . Soften 1 cup (2 sticks/227g) of unsalted butter. Honestly, cold butter is the enemy.

Grab ¾ cup (150g) of granulated sugar, 1 large egg , 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract, 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon (5g) baking powder, and ½ teaspoon (2.

5g) salt. It's also useful to get your cookie cutters at this stage, so you know which you will be using.

For a time-saving tip: measure out all your dry ingredients beforehand. It really speeds things up. Safety-wise, make sure little ones are supervised when using cookie cutters.

Those things can be surprisingly sharp!

Step-by-Step: From Bowl to Oven

1. Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Gradually add the dry to the wet, mixing on low. Don't overmix!
5. Divide the dough, flatten into discs, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour . This is KEY.
6. Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) . Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
8. Cut out shapes and bake for 8- 12 minutes . Look for lightly golden edges.

Pro Tips: Elevate Your Cookie Game

One tip: chill your cut-out shapes on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking. This helps them hold their shape even better.

A common mistake is overbaking – slightly underbaked is best. For a sugar cookie glaze , try mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

You can also use a royal icing recipe to create more ornate cookie decorating ideas .

Recipe Notes For Your Jolly Good Cut Out Cookies

Let's dive into some extra bits and bobs! These are some ideas that will help make your cut out cookies absolutely smashing.

Honestly, these are tips that I've picked up over years and years of baking. So, get ready to turn your cutout sugar cookies into works of art.

Serving Suggestions that are Truly Scrumptious

Plating and Presentation Ideas

How you show off your holiday cookies is part of the fun, isn't it? Arrange your perfect sugar cookies on a tiered cake stand for afternoon tea.

Feeling festive? Pop them in little cellophane bags tied with ribbon. Maybe even try arranging them into a cookie bouquet.

The possibilities are endless!

Complementary Sides or Beverages

Xmas Cookies scream for a cup of hot cocoa. Honestly, I love a good Christmas cookie recipe paired with mulled wine, too.

And for the kids? A simple glass of milk is always a winner. Try a slice of cheese alongside!

Storage Tips So You Don't Waste

Refrigeration Guidelines

Once baked and decorated, store your best sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

If you live somewhere humid, refrigeration might be better. Honestly, I've never had them last that long!

Freezing Options (If Applicable)

Good news! You can freeze these bad boys. Freeze undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Thaw them completely before icing. I've also frozen the dough before, just wrap it well.

Reheating Instructions

No need to reheat. These are best enjoyed at room temperature. Unless you want to warm it up, that works too!

Variations: Let's Get Creative!

Dietary Adaptations

Want gluten-free best sugar cookie recipe ? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Need a vegan option? Swap the butter for vegan butter, and use a flax egg.

It’s as easy as that!

Seasonal Ingredient Swaps

In autumn, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a spiced flavour. At Christmastime, use festive cookie cutters like snowmen and stars.

Honestly, you can get so creative here!

Nutrition Basics: Simple Breakdown

Simplified Nutrition Information

Each cookie has about 120 calories. They also contain 1g of protein, 6g of fat, and 15g of carbs. It's a rough estimate, mind you! Remember, these are treats, so enjoy in moderation.

Key Health Benefits

Well, they boost happiness, don’t they? Seriously though, baking can be therapeutic. Plus, you get to enjoy a delicious treat.

Honestly, that's all there is to it. These tips should help you make the best sugar cookies ever. Now go on, get baking and create some amazing cookie decorating ideas .

Don't forget the royal icing recipe or a simple sugar cookie glaze . You've got this!