How to Make Rolled Cut-Out Sugar Cookies for Decorating

Learn how I make rolled cut-out sugar cookies for decorating! Simple, quick to make and an easy dough to work with. This is my go-to recipe for any cookie that I will decorate with royal icing.

What you'll need:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened***
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder

**Do not use margarine for this recipe. The dough turns greasy and has an off taste.**

Beat butter and sugar in a stand mixer or a large bowl with a handheld mixer until creamy, about a minute. Add in egg and vanilla and beat another minute. Scrape the side of the bowl and beater and mix again to make sure everything is incorporated. Mix in flour and baking powder with a heavy wooden spoon. Dough will by dry and crumbly. Transfer dough to a plastic bag and knead to combine into a dough. Seal and refrigerate for about 20 minutes. Any longer and the dough is tough to work with and won't roll out without cracking.

Heavily dust a counter with flour and roll out dough to 3/16" thick. Cut out shapes using your desired cookie cutter. Bake in a preheated 350* oven on a heavy cookie sheet lined with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for 8-10 minutes. They are done when barely light brown around the edges. Let cool for a minute on the cookie sheet and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. When cool, decorate however you wish! Makes about 2-1/2 dozen 3" cookies. Enjoy!!

Music by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com)