This classic rolled sugar cookie recipe makes soft, tender cookies that hold their shape without chilling the dough. Perfect for Christmas or any holiday — just cut, bake, and decorate!
Looking for the Best Rolled Sugar Cookies Recipe?
This Old-Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie recipe has been a part of our family’s Christmas tradition for decades. In fact, it’s the very first cookie recipe I ever made with my boys when they were just 2 and 4 years old!
It’s one of those tried-and-true recipes that has stood the test of time — simple ingredients, no fancy equipment, and a result that’s soft, tender, and absolutely delicious every time.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
- SOFT & TENDER– This cut out sugar cookie recipe makes soft sugar cookies that are melt in your mouth delicious!
- NO DOUGH CHILLING REQUIRED – This sugar cookie recipe mixes up quickly and doesn’t need to be chilled before rolling.
- FREEZES WELL – Get ahead of the Christmas rush by baking and freezing these cookies ahead. I usually bake the whole batch, let them cool, and then freeze them between layers of waxed paper in airtight containters. Once it’s time to serve them, I thaw out the baked rolled sugar cookies, mix up a batch of icing and ice the amount I want to serve. It’s easy and so delicious.
- KID FRIENDLY– This recipe is so fun to make as a family and get the kids involved, too. They’ll have so much fun cutting out shaped and helping you decorate them.
What You’ll Need for Soft & Tasty Cut Out Sugar Cookies:
(Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.)Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Butter
- Eggs
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- White sugar
- Baking soda
Helpful Tools:
- Large and medium mixing bowls
- Pastry blender or two knives
- Rolling pin (or pastry cloth and rolling cover)
- Cookie cutters — trees, stars, hearts, mittens… whatever you love!
- Baking sheets and parchment paper
- Wire cooling racks
How to Make this Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe
(Find full details and exact measurements in the printable recipe card below.)
1. Cut butter into dry ingredients with a pastry blender. 
2.Mix liquid ingredients in a seperate bowl. 
3.Pour liquid into dry ingredients and stir to combine.
4. Gently knead the dough until it sticks together. 
5. Divide dough into 2 portions.
6. Roll each portion out to about 1/2 inch thick and cut with your favorite holiday cookie cutters.
7. Bake at 375°F for 5 minutes. 
8.Cool on wire rack completely before icing. 
9. Serve as a fun holiday treat!
Handy tip: Prevent Sticky Dough!
When making this sugar cookie dough, the butter should NOT be melted or softened too much. You will want to cut it in with a pastry blender until it resembles course oatmeal. Then when you add the liquid ingredients to it, just mix until barely combined. It will actually be a bit crumby! Then knead it together gently with your hands before rolling out. Here is a quick video demonstrating mixing the dough:
Grandma Rita’s Sugar Cookie Tips
- 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!
- 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 my quick and easy homemade frosting for sugar cookies. Or, you could try a fun idea using marbled icing.
Once completely cooled, ice with your favorite homemade frosting.
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!
Want more recipes perfect for the holidays?
I’ve got you! I’ve done the thinking & planning for you and put together 29 favorite holiday dinner recipes – along with lots of tips & tricks (& bloopers!) I’ve learned in decades of holiday dinner experiences. Grab yourself and copy and enjoy having Grandma helping you in the kitchen this year!;)
Frequently Asked Questions about Rolled Sugar Cookies
Do I need to chill the dough?
Nope, and that’s one of my favourite things about this recipe! The dough rolls out beautifully right away, and the cookies hold their shape in the oven without any chilling. More time for decorating!
Why did my sugar cookies spread?
The most common reason is butter that’s too soft or melted. Use butter that’s softened but still cool, so the dough stays firm enough to hold those pretty cookie cutter shapes.
How thick should I roll sugar cookies?
I roll mine about ½ inch thick, which keeps them soft and tender in the middle. Thinner cookies will be crispier and need a little less time in the oven.
What’s the best frosting for these cookies?
I love a simple buttercream with a little food colouring. Try my easy frosting for sugar cookies, or get fancy with this pretty marbled icing.
For more Christmas Cookies Recipes, you may want to check out these posts:
- Never Fail Fudge
- Make this condensed milk fudge recipe in the microwave in 5 minutes!
- Cranberry Lemon Bars
- Jam Sandwich Cookies (a shortcut recipe!)
- 75+ Christmas cookie recipes with pictures
- Cute & quick Rudolph Cookies
- Brownie Mix Cookies
- Christmas Dipped Chocolate
Old Fashioned Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe
These traditional rolled sugar cookies are wonderfully soft and rich with butter, making them ideal for cut-out Christmas cookies—no chilling is necessary! It is an uncomplicated, heartwarming recipe enjoyable for family baking and keeps well when frozen.
Ingredients
Method
- Mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender
- In another bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar, and baking soda.
- Pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture and stir gently. It should be sort of "crumby".
- Flip the dough onto a lightly floured pastry mat, and knead it gently ~ just so it sticks together.
- Divide into 2 portions and roll each portion out to about 1/2 inch thick.
- Using cookie cutters, cut out whatever shapes you’d like. We have stars and trees at our house…
- Place on baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- 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!
- Cool completely on wire racks before icing.
- Once completely cool, ice with buttercream icing with food coloring.
