Cut Out Cookies

C.,

I think the best recipe is Martha Stewart's sugar cookie receipe, but the secret to keeping the shape is after you cut the cookies, put them in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes, then put them in the oven to bake. It makes all the difference in the world! Good luck

I make these every year, my kids love them, and they don't get hard. If you like soft cut out cookies this is a great recipe.

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1/4 tsp. vanilla 2-1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup colored sugar Make It
BEAT cream cheese and butter in large bowl with electric mixer until well blended. Add granulated sugar and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add flour, beating well after each addition; cover. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes with 3- to 4-inch cookie cutters. Sprinkle cutouts with colored sugar. Place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets.

BAKE 12 to 15 min. or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 2 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely

L.

Honest?? I go to Gordon's and buy the premade cookies. YOu just bake them...there are 4 shapes and they are really good. I am not sure what the special ingredient is in there, but we love them and it makes it easy with the kids.

Betty Crocker makes a powder that comes in a bag that you can buy. I have made them several times - they are easy and they stay soft for a long time! Best yet - no one has to know they weren't made completely from scratch, unless they ask you for the recipe :-) Good luck!

C.,

This may be a total "well DUH, I know that" suggestion for you, but I didn't figure it out until about five years ago; try using the cookie cutters directly on the cookie sheet. Roll the dough out on a cooled cookie sheet and cut five or six shapes at a time. Then lift off the excess dough, leaving the cookie. Yes, more time consuming, lots more messy cookie sheets. But the shapes come out perfect because you're not trying to lift them from your workspace to the cookie sheet.

Hope this helps,
J.

I cheat!!LOL I buy Pillsbury sugar cookie dough, roll it out and cut the shapes and bake according to directions. They taste great and since I decorate them all myself I can still call them semi-homemade.

You didn't say.......do you prefer a SOFT sugar cookie or a crispy one?

I buy precut cookie dough from Market Day. Yes I know it's not the same but they are made in my home and therefore homemade. No one need know they were not from a recipe you tried. I have tried and tried recipes people have sworn by and could never get it. So go to www.marketday.com and find a school nearest you to order. They have different shapes throughtout the year. Pumpkins at Halloween and Thanksgiving. Snowmen, stars, santas, and trees at Christmas. And chicks and bunnies and eggs at easter.

Hi C.,
This is a recipe I got from a friend. They hold up real well and don't get hard as a rock. Here you go...

3 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup butter flavored Crisco
1/8 tsp salt
Blend together with pastry cutter or use your hands until it has the texture similar to oatmeal.
Then add:
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
Mix well. Roll out on lightly floured surface or put in cookie press. Bake at 350 degrees. Let cool on wire racks then top with icing, sprinkles, etc.
The cookie will not get brown but the bottoms will brown lightly when done. Have Fun!!!

My kids call these "Claudia Cookies" because she is the friend I got the recipe from.

I use this recipe, I usually chill it for a little while before use. It is the only recipe I have found to work well for me.

3 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 cup shortening (butter crisco)
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Mix dry ingredients & shortening together. Add eggs & vanilla.
Roll dough out on sprinkled flour & sugar.
bake for 8 mininutes at 375 degrees

frosting-
3/4 cup crisco
4 cup powder sugar
1 tsp vanilla
add milk until right texture

check your messages, i sent you a great one!

Go to allrecipes.com. Lots of cutout recipes, plus review and comments. Have fun tasting and finding one you like!

L.

My mother in law makes the best cut out cookies I've ever tasted. She gave me the recipe but I personally have never made them.

1c butter/margarine
1c powdered sugar
1 egg beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
2 c flour

Mix together margarine, powdered sugar, egg, vanilla, beat.
Sift flour, salt, soda and cream of tarter together.
Add flour mixture to sugar mixture.
Roll out (you may need to add extra flour to stiffen dough)and cut cookies.
Bake at 375* for 8-10 minutes.

These are softer cookies and she always frosts them. My kids(and my husband) love these cookies.