Delightful Holiday Cut-Out Cookies
This cherished recipe comes straight from my mom's kitchen, where every holiday was celebrated with the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies. These Delightful Holiday Cut-Out Cookies are soft, puffy, and perfect for any occasion. With just a simple change of cookie cutters and colored sugars, you can customize these cookies for any holiday celebration. Whether you're making heart shapes for Valentine's Day, spooky designs for Halloween, or festive stars for Christmas, these cookies will delight friends and family alike. Bake a batch and watch them disappear!
48
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Margarine or Butter
1 cup (softened)
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (pure, flavored)
Granulated Sugar
1 1/2 cups (measured)
Large Eggs
3 (room temperature)
All-Purpose Flour
3 1/2 cups (sifted)
Cream of Tartar
2 teaspoons (for leavening)
Baking Soda
1 teaspoon (for leavening)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened margarine (or butter), granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy.
2
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure everything is well combined.
3
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined.
4
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours, or overnight for easier rolling.
5
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a well-floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness (or slightly thicker for puffier cookies).
6
Lightly flour your rolling pin and cookie cutters to prevent sticking. Cut the dough into desired shapes and transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking.
8
Allow to cool on a wire rack before decorating with colored sugars or icing as desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Delightful Holiday Cut-Out Cookies?
They are soft, puffy, and customizable cookies made from a cherished family recipe perfect for any holiday celebration.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 48 servings.
Can I use butter instead of margarine?
Yes, you can use either 1 cup of softened margarine or butter for this recipe.
What type of sugar is required for these cookies?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar.
How long should I chill the dough?
The dough should be chilled for at least 3 to 4 hours, or overnight for the best results.
Why is it important to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough makes it much easier to roll out and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.
At what temperature should I preheat my oven?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How thick should I roll the cookie dough?
Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness, or slightly thicker if you prefer extra puffy cookies.
What is the baking time for these cut-out cookies?
Bake the cookies for 6 to 8 minutes.
How can I tell when the cookies are finished baking?
The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden.
Can I use different cookie cutter shapes?
Yes, you can use any shapes like hearts for Valentine's Day, spooky designs for Halloween, or stars for Christmas.
What makes these cookies puffy?
The combination of baking soda and cream of tartar acts as a leavening agent to create a puffy texture.
Is it necessary to sift the dry ingredients?
Yes, sifting the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt together helps ensure a smooth and even dough.
How should I store these holiday cookies?
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for later use.
Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Yes, these cookies freeze well once they have completely cooled.
What should I use to prevent the dough from sticking to the rolling pin?
Lightly flour your rolling pin and your cookie cutters before using them.
When is the best time to decorate the cookies?
Wait until the cookies have completely cooled on a wire rack before adding icing or colored sugars.
Can I use vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract?
Yes, you can substitute vanilla extract with an equal amount of pure flavored vanilla bean paste.
What is the role of cream of tartar in this recipe?
Cream of tartar serves as a leavening agent and helps create the signature soft, puffy texture of the cookies.
How many eggs are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 3 large eggs.
Do the eggs need to be at room temperature?
Yes, room temperature eggs combine more easily into the creamed mixture.
What type of flour is best for these cookies?
All-purpose flour is recommended for achieving the correct consistency.
How many main ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients: margarine/butter, vanilla, sugar, eggs, flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
Is this recipe easy enough for beginners?
Yes, this is an easy-to-follow recipe that is great for families and beginners.
What holidays are these cookies suitable for?
They are perfect for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween, or any special occasion.
Should I line my baking sheet?
Yes, using a parchment-lined baking sheet prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Can I add food coloring directly to the dough?
Yes, you can mix in food coloring after adding the eggs if you want colorful cookie bases.
What is the texture of these cookies?
They have a soft and puffy texture, rather than being crispy or crunchy.
Can I double this recipe for a large party?
Absolutely, you can double all ingredients to make a larger batch of approximately 96 cookies.