Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Cut out sugar cookies are one of the best Christmas sugar cookies recipe to make.Requiring just simple ingredients, these soft and chewy cookies are so much fun to make with the whole family!

Christmas sugar cookies are part of our family holiday season traditions. This Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie recipe is often the first thing I pull out of my recipe box to make. In fact, my kids think it’s the best sugar cookie recipe of all. The first time I made it with my boys’ help was when they were 2 and 4 years old!

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (1)

Why you’ll love these Christmas sugar cookies

This cut out out sugar cookie recipe is a great recipe that makes a soft sugar cookies that can be easily frozen if desired.

The tender dough mixes up quickly and doesn’t need to be chilled before rolling.

I usually bake the whole batch, let them cool, and then freeze them between layers of waxed paper in airtight containers.

Once it’s time to serve them, I thaw out the baked rolled sugar cookies and mix up a small batch of icing for the amount I want to serve. It’s easy and so delicious.

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (2)

How to Make Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookies

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.

Supplies Needed for Soft & Tasty Cut Out Sugar Cookies:

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (3)

Rolled Sugar Cookies Ingredients:

  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. Baking Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup Butter
  • 2 large Eggs, beaten
  • 1/3 cup Milk
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (4)

How to Make this Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe

(A printable recipe card is located at the end of this post for your convenience.)

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (5)

You’ll mix up this simple recipe in 2 seperate bowls.

1. In the first large bowl, mix together:

  • 4 cups flour,
  • 1 tsp. baking powder, and
  • 1/2 tsp. salt,
  • Cut in 1 cup butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives.
Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (6)

2. In another bowl, mix together:

  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk,
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract,
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar, and
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (7)

4. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture and stir gently.

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (8)

5. Flip the dough onto a lightly floured pastry mat, and knead it gently ~ just so it sticks together.

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (9)

6. Divide dough into 2 portions. Start with the first portion and roll dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness.

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (10)

I use my Grandmother’s antique dough rolling pastry set (pictured above), but I’ve rounded up a whole list of top tools for dough rolling here.

Here is a video on tips for rolling out this sugar cookie dough:

7. Using your favorite cookie cutters, cut out whatever shapes you’d like. We have stars and trees at our house…

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (11)

8. Place on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. (Placing parchement paper on the baking sheets makes for easy clean up.)

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (12)

9. Bake cookies at 375 degrees for 5 minutes – or until very lightly golden brown.

Top Tip: The secret to soft and chewy old fashioned sugar cookies is to take them out before they start to brown. If they are too browned, they will turn crunchy!

10. Cool completely on a wire rack before icing.

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (13)

Once completely cooled, ice with your favorite homemade frosting.

Here is my quick and easy homemade frosting for sugar cookies. Or, you could try a fun idea using marbled icing.

Yield: About 4 dozen

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (14)

How should I store these cut out sugar cookies?

Store these sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. However, I feel better always refrigerating or freezing mine until I’m ready to use them.

To freeze sugar cookies, place them in an airtight container or heavy duty freezer bag, being careful to seperate each layer with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. Store in the freezer for up to six months.

For Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies:

You can use this same sugar cookie recipe for all seasons! Just use whatever shaped cookie cutter matches the holiday. Heart shaped cookie cutters with pink icing make darling Valentine’s Day cookies. Another option is to make marbled heart sugar cookies. They’re so pretty!

Need more help with Christmas cookie making?

I’ve put together a recipe collection of Christmas cookie recipes to help you save time & stress. Click the button below for all the details!

SAVE TIME & STRESS!

CHRISTMAS COOKIES RECIPES COLLECTION

With a mix of traditional & trendy Christmas cookies, this recipe collection with pictures can help bring back the fun (& simple) traditions of Christmas baking.

ON A SUP$R dUPER sALE NOW!!

For more Merry Christmas Season Recipes, you may want to check out these posts:

  • Christmas cookie recipes with pictures
  • Christmas Dipped Chocolates,
  • Swedish Tea Ring,
  • Overnight Buns,
  • Christmas Breakfast Recipes

More Christmas Cookies Recipes:

  • Never Fail Fudge
  • Make this condensed milk fudge recipe in the microwave in 5 minutes!
  • Chocolate Marshmallow Log
  • Cranberry Lemon Bars
  • Jam Sandwich Cookies (a shortcut recipe!)
  • 75+ Christmas cookie recipes with pictures
  • Cute & quick Rudolph Cookies
  • Brownie Mix Cookies
  • Gluten-free cut out cookies
Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (15)
Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (16)

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe

Yield: 4 dozen

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

This old fashioned rolled sugar cookie recipe is the best cut out cookie recipe! The dough is easy to work & the cookies are soft & YUMMY!

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Flour
  • 1 tsp. Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Salt
  • 1 cup Butter
  • 2 Eggs, beaten
  • 1/3 cup Milk
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda

Instructions

  1. Mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender
  2. In another bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar, and baking so
  3. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture and stir gently
  4. Flip the dough onto a lightly floured pastry mat, and knead it gently ~ just so it sticks together
  5. Divide into 2 portions and roll each portion out to about 1/2 inch thick.
  6. Using cookie cutters, cut out whatever shapes you’d like. We have stars and trees at our house…
  7. Place on baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
  8. Bake for 5 minutes in an oven that has been preheated to 375 degrees.The secret to soft and chewy old fashioned sugar cookies is to take them out before they start to brown. If they are lightly browned, they will turn crunchy!
  9. Cool completely on wire racks before icing.Step 10: Once completely cool, ice with buttercream icing with food coloring.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 48Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 100Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 95mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 0gSugar: 6gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a comment or share a photo on Instaram and tag @harbourbreeze

Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best thickness to roll sugar cookies? ›

With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use more flour if the dough seems too sticky. The rolled-out dough can be any shape, as long as it is evenly 1/4-inch thick.

Why are my rolled sugar cookies spreading? ›

Your sugar cookies might be spreading because you are using baking powder that has expired. Once opened, baking powder is good for about 9 - 12 months. Fresh baking powder provides LIFT in baked goods. It makes things puff UP...not out.

What does cream of tartar do in sugar cookies? ›

Cream of tartar makes cookies chewy, as it precludes the sugar in the dough from crystalizing, which would lead to crispiness (ie: the opposite of chewiness).

How long do you chill sugar cookie dough? ›

It's not required for this sugar cookie recipe. Immediately baking after mixing will result in absolutely delicious cookies; however, if time permits, chilling the dough for 24-72 hours does result in cookies that are thicker, chewier, and more flavorful. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap before refrigerating.

When making rolled cookies should they be rolled in a thick or thin sheet? ›

Sometimes thicker, sometimes thinner. I don't have a reason for it, I honestly roll out my dough to the thickness I feel like rolling it out. A general guideline would be between about 6 mm to 1 cm or about 1/4 inch to 3/8 of an inch.

How long should sugar cookie dough sit out before rolling? ›

As a general rule of thumb, you should refrigerate cookie dough for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. More than that, and you won't see a noticeable difference in the final product. Once the dough has chilled, let it warm up at room temperature until it's just pliable (about 5 to 10 minutes).

Should you chill sugar cookie dough before rolling? ›

→ Follow this tip: Chill sugar cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or in the freezer for 15 minutes. The dough will be so much easier to work with! It will roll out nicely, and if you're making cut-outs, chilled dough will help you get clean, sharp edges.

How long do you chill cookie dough before rolling? ›

Chilling cookie dough: Does it make a difference?
  1. Chilling cookie dough for just 30 minutes makes a big difference. ...
  2. The longer you chill cookie dough, the smaller the changes become. ...
  3. Over time, chilling cookie dough produces cookies with darker color and more pronounced flavor.
May 17, 2015

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

What makes cookies fluffy and not flat? ›

Room temperature butter is just the right consistency to incorporate air when it's creamed with sugar. These trapped air pockets result in risen, fluffy cookies. If the butter is any warmer, it won't incorporate enough air and your cookies will have less rise.

Why do my sugar cookies taste like flour? ›

Generally that floury taste can be attributed to several things. Too much flour, bad recipe, improper mixing or underbaking, but the most common culprit is too much flour. Too much flour is most usually caused by scooping with the measuring cup and is probably the most common kitchen mistake made today.

What is the desired thickness when working with rolled cookie dough? ›

You roll out just-mixed dough, chill, cut, bake, done. Once the dough is rolled to your desired thickness (generally between ⅛–¼” thick), transfer the dough package to a rimmed baking sheet.

What thickness should the dough be when rolled out? ›

If the dough starts to warm up and becomes too difficult to handle, place it on a cutting board or baking sheet and chill for 10 to 15 minutes. Then proceed with rolling it out. The dough should be 1/8" thick and 1" wider than the pie plate.

How thick are decorated sugar cookies? ›

The ideal thickness to roll out your sugar cookie dough is about 1/4"--that way, they'll be tough enough to be handled and decorated, but thin enough to stay a little crunchy.

What is the best surface to roll out cookie dough? ›

Place two equal-sized sheets of parchment paper underneath and above the dough, making a kind of dough sandwich. Then roll out with your rolling pin, keeping the dough sandwiched between the two parchment sheets.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Last Updated:

Views: 5857

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Lawanda Wiegand

Birthday: 1993-01-10

Address: Suite 391 6963 Ullrich Shore, Bellefort, WI 01350-7893

Phone: +6806610432415

Job: Dynamic Manufacturing Assistant

Hobby: amateur radio, Taekwondo, Wood carving, Parkour, Skateboarding, Running, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Pres. Lawanda Wiegand, I am a inquisitive, helpful, glamorous, cheerful, open, clever, innocent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.