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With Salt and Wit

Laugh Often. Eat Well.

60 November 21, 2014 Christmas

Nana’s Perfect Cut Out Sugar Cookies

The best cut out sugar cookie recipe comes from my Nana! Perfect balance of soft and crispy, and not too sweet so you can decorate with icing and sprinkles!  

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easy cut out sugar cookies recipe, holiday, Christmas, No Chill, Best, Icing, Frosting, decorating, perfect, shape, butter, birthday, how to make, mom,

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Could there be any more classic Christmas cookie than a sugar cookie? I think not.

I have been indulging in sugar cookies since my mom let me get my little hands on them.

We have talked about my nana’s amazing baking skills once or twice, but today, I finally bring you her cream of the crop recipe. There is not only family gathering, party or dinner soiree without sugar cookies crossing the dessert table. And as today is my Nana’s birthday, I can not think of any other way to celebrate her than sharing my favorite recipe of hers!

Isn’t my Nana the cutest?! Happy Birthday!

These Cut Out Sugar Cookies are the best cookies you will ever make! The perfect balance of soft and crispy, and not too sweet so you can decorate with icing and sprinkles!! #cookies #cutout #sugarcookies #dessert

Funny story about this sugar cookies actually. My cousins and I grew up much like best friends, rather than cousins. We were all around the same age which made it very easy for us to get lost for hours in the basement of our house playing made up games like Mad Dog. Don’t ask.

We had a simple rule. You don’t go get the parents unless you were bleeding. We were serious about our games. We were light years ahead of Hunger Games.

These Cut Out Sugar Cookies are the best cookies you will ever make! The perfect balance of soft and crispy, and not too sweet so you can decorate with icing and sprinkles!! #cookies #cutout #sugarcookies #dessert

Back to the sugar cookies though. One Fourth of July, it was dinner time and my brother and my cousin Paul, decided a corn eating contest was necessary. Sixteen ears of corn later, they were both rolling around the yard with stomach aches. As they had already downed a few sodas, couple handfuls of Fritos, and unlimited hot dogs. This prompted my cousin Angela and I to join in. Except the corn we swapped for sugar cookies. More our style.

If you can guess, this went over not so well. A few dozen cookies later, we following in their footsteps and were rolling around with stomach aches complaining to why we ever thought that was a good idea. Oh to have the mind of an eight year old again.

Now I am not telling you to not indulge in endless amounts of sugar cookies this holiday season, but I will assure you will not be able to stop at one.

These Cut Out Sugar Cookies are the best cookies you will ever make! The perfect balance of soft and crispy, and not too sweet so you can decorate with icing and sprinkles!! #cookies #cutout #sugarcookies #dessert

They are the perfect dough to make cut out sugar cookies for decorating as you can reroll the dough out as many times as you wish and no chilling is needed. The all butter dough makes them perfectly tender yet with enough body to hold them together and not crumble in your fingers.

The dough comes together quickly and freezes like a dream. Which reminds me, I have some leftover dough in my freezer.

Excuse me while I go reminisce on my eight year old self with a solo sugar cookie eating contest!

These Cut Out Sugar Cookies are the best cookies you will ever make! The perfect balance of soft and crispy, and not too sweet so you can decorate with icing and sprinkles!! #cookies #cutout #sugarcookies #dessert

meal prep tips:

  1. this dough freezes wonderfully, so you can double the batch and freeze. Or prepare half the dough and freeze the rest! When ready to make, remove the dough from the freezer and let thaw, either in the fridge or on the counter.
  2. you can make these cookies ahead of time, then frost the day or day before serving. they hold so well in a sealed container!

Nana's Perfect Cut Out Sugar Cookies

The best cut out sugar cookie recipe comes from my Nana! Perfect balance of soft and crispy, and not too sweet so you can decorate with icing and sprinkles!

15 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

25 minTotal Time

Yields 4 dozen cookies

Author:

Megan

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup unrefined sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 teaspoon cream of tarter
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups flour
  • For decorating: Icing and sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. In a large mixing bowl with hand mixer or kitchen aid, cream butter and sugar.
  3. Add eggs and beat until fluffy.
  4. Add cream of tarter, baking soda, vanilla extract and flour. Add flour slowly!
  5. Chill dough for one hour.
  6. To roll out, lightly flour your surface or a tea towel. Add dough and slightly knead some flour from the surface into the dough. Create a uniform ball then using a rolling pin, roll dough out to 1/4 inch thick. Using a cookie cutter dipped in flour, cut shapes out. Repeat the rolling process until all the dough is used.
  7. Lay the cookies onto a cookie sheet.
  8. Add cookies to preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
  9. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Then move from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
  10. Ice cookies with your favorite frosting or add enjoy as is!
7.8.1.2
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https://withsaltandwit.com/perfect-cut-sugar-cookies/

Nana's Perfect Cut Out Sugar Cookies

Craving more cookies?

Rich and decadent Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies are naturally gluten free and filled with two types of chocolate and creamy peanut butter!

Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies 

Mint Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies are filled with a creamy, mint cheesecake mixture that is perfect for your sweet tooth or any party!

Mint Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut Butter Banana Breakfast Cookies are ready in 15 minutes, only take one bowl and are a delicious and dessert-like breakfast treat to start your day!

Chia Seed Peanut Butter Banana Breakfast Cookies

If you make this recipe, make sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #WITHSALTANDWIT. I’d love to see what you are cooking up in your kitchen!

60

Categories: Christmas Tags: christmas, cookies, cut out cookies, dessert, easy, sprinkles, sugar, sweets, treats

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lee - Fit Foodie Finds says

    November 21, 2014 at 6:29 am

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA! Man you sounded like fun as a kid! I could totally win at a corn eating contest.....that shiz my jam! We never had eating contest, but we did stuff our face with marshmallows to see who get get the most in their mouth at once :D
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 21, 2014 at 6:49 am

      I will tell her for you! And ohhhh marshmallows...sad I still do that? Shouldn't have voiced that huh? Thanks lady!!
      Reply
  2. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says

    November 21, 2014 at 6:41 am

    Haha! I had to laugh at Lightyears Ahead Of Hunger Games!! These cookies are SO pretty lady! Pinned!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 21, 2014 at 6:49 am

      Oh it was a danger field in our playroom! Thanks lovely!!
      Reply
  3. Beth @ The First Year says

    November 21, 2014 at 7:25 am

    I want a Nana!!! Ps. Can we make sugar cookies together when we facetime on Monday? :)
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 21, 2014 at 7:28 am

      I would love too! I actually still have dough leftover in the fridge ;)
      Reply
  4. Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says

    November 21, 2014 at 7:48 am

    Oh my goodness Megan your nana is adorable.. I love that dress on her and your wedding dress ... of course! But these sugar cookies look amazing! I can't wait to make some this year with Cason! Pretty sure they aren't going to be as gorgeous as yours but thats what fun about cut out cookies... you can be creative. :)
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 21, 2014 at 9:17 am

      Oh well thank you!! And trust me...this was a fluke for them to turn out pretty! Usually they look like something my niece did! But hey, they were still tasty! And I hope you and Cason have a fun time decorating and eating them ;) Thanks lovely!
      Reply
  5. Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says

    November 21, 2014 at 8:43 am

    Oh my gosh - I have not made cutout cookies forever! This reminds me I need to - so cute!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 21, 2014 at 9:16 am

      Hope you do! They are irresistible! Thanks Kristi!
      Reply
  6. DessertForTwo says

    November 21, 2014 at 9:41 am

    Awww, Nana! She's so adorable! OF course her cookies are the best! Aww :)
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 21, 2014 at 10:15 am

      Well thank you! I think so ;)
      Reply
  7. Laura @ Petite Allergy Treats says

    November 21, 2014 at 9:57 am

    Lol about the corn! I love how baking brings back great family memories. These cookies look wonderful and classic. Happy b-day to Nanna!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 21, 2014 at 10:15 am

      Isn't it sort of soothing?! Thanks Laura!
      Reply
  8. Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says

    November 21, 2014 at 11:38 am

    My kids have plans to make our families sugar cookie recipe with their Nana this weekend (my mom) I hope they are still thinking about those precious times when they are older!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 21, 2014 at 2:59 pm

      That is so exciting! I am sure they will eat lots of cookies and remember it for years :) Thanks Kristen!
      Reply
  9. Melanie | Melanie Makes says

    November 21, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    What is it about Nanas and sugar cookies? My children's grandmother - their Nana - loves making them sugar cookies and decorating them to the nines. Love that these cookies have such a great story behind them!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 21, 2014 at 2:59 pm

      They just go together don't they?! And that is so exciting to hear! Hope they have a sugar loaded time ;)
      Reply
  10. Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says

    November 21, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    Bahaha - I was taste-testing batches of cookies last night and by about the 4th cookie, I wanted to roll around with a stomach ache - I guess I don't have ANY endurance. Your Nana is SO cute and these sugar cookies look so tasty. I might try to eat a couple dozen (or at least a few scoops of that cookie dough:).
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 21, 2014 at 2:58 pm

      Isn't that the worst!! And thank you so much! And the cookie dough is the bomb ;)
      Reply
  11. Jess says

    November 21, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    Nana are the best! Followed closely by family recipes. Your cookies are so simple and classy, love them!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 22, 2014 at 7:14 am

      I agree...Nana's and cookies! Thanks Jess!
      Reply
  12. Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says

    November 21, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Your Nana is adorable, and look at her rocking those heels!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 22, 2014 at 7:14 am

      Oh for sure! Thanks Sharon!
      Reply
  13. Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says

    November 21, 2014 at 10:17 pm

    I love that you are already making holiday sugar cookies! I think my kids and I have a baking project we need to do this week! And how special that this is your Nana's recipe. Happy Birthday!!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 22, 2014 at 7:14 am

      Yes you definitely need to add these to your baking project! Decorating with kids is the best :) Thanks Kristine!
      Reply
  14. Andi @ The Weary Chef says

    November 21, 2014 at 11:45 pm

    Meg, these photos are incredibly pretty. I love this post (and these cookies)! Thanks for sharing your childhood memories with us :)
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 22, 2014 at 7:13 am

      Thanks so much Andi! And my pleasure :)
      Reply
  15. Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says

    November 24, 2014 at 10:05 pm

    What a sweet post! I loved seeing the wedding pic (you look gorgeous!) of you and your nana, and I can't wait to try these cookies!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 25, 2014 at 7:49 am

      Oh thank you Phi! I hope you love em ;)
      Reply
  16. Laura @MotherWouldKnow says

    December 11, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Megan - What a lovely story and a sweet gift for your Nana. The photo of the two of you is priceless. The recipe is grand, especially because of the incredibly touching memories that surround it. Thanks for stopping by our Happy Holidays Link Party - be sure to join us again this week, beginning on Saturday at 7 pm ET.
    Reply
    • Meg says

      December 11, 2014 at 8:47 pm

      Oh you are so sweet! Thanks for the great party and see you next time!
      Reply
  17. Lisa says

    November 27, 2016 at 10:55 am

    I AM a nana and I love this recipe! I made cookies with 1/2 the dough but froze the other half, very convenient by the way. This will be the first Christmas in 7 years that our family will be together and now I have 3 grandchildren! I have been looking forward to making cookies with grandchildren since my children left home, many years ago. I am so glad you posted this recipe because it is perfect!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      November 27, 2016 at 5:08 pm

      Oh you just made my night! So glad you all loved the cookies! As I grown up enjoying these, I love hearing others as well! Have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy that time with your grandchildren!
      Reply
  18. Sue says

    December 3, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    What kind of unrefined sugar do you use or can you just use regular white sugar?
    Reply
    • Meg says

      December 4, 2016 at 8:57 am

      You can just use regular white sugar!! Enjoy!
      Reply

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Hi There!

I'm Megan! A wife, mama and have a serious love of nutritious, time-saving meals with a knack for meal prep hacks. I crave simple, wholesome and balanced meals with a bit of humor on the side! Welcome to my kitchen. Read More…

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