Cookies Holidays Winter

Holiday Cut-Out Cookies

holiday cut-out cookies on wire rack
holiday cut-out cookies | the vanilla bean blog

Cut-out cookies have been a Christmas tradition in my family since I was a little girl, and while I have many happy memories of cutting out shapes with my mom, I also have plenty of memories of my sister and I fighting over cookie cutters and getting in trouble for hiding all the pretty sprinkles from everyone else. Now, these cookies are always in my holiday cookie boxes.

Growing up we never iced our cookies (it was sprinkles all the way), but I’ve included an icing option here, a simple glaze that is easy to make and tastes delicious. If you prefer, a sugar coating is also an option.

Photos and writing from 2014, when I first published this post.

This past weekend the kids and I headed to my sister’s house for a holiday cutout cookies decorating party. It was really a few hours to eat cookie dough and spill sprinkles all over Auntie’s floor, but we all sure had fun anyway. This December has been rather odd for me; our house troubles are still ongoing (we are now currently gutting our entire basement and can’t run our furnace in freezing Minneapolis) and my father-in-law has temporarily moved in with us for a bit (to help with said basement and spend time with the kids). All those things combined make me feel slightly displaced – our home still doesn’t feel like ‘home’ to us as we struggle with trying to find root problems and share space. My facebook feed has also been filled with tragedy this past week, adding another layer of sadness. I’ve been listening to a lot of holiday music, finding solace in lyrics of Christmas cheer and hidden thoughtfulness.

The table is set
And all glasses are full
The pieces go missing
May we still feel whole
We’ll build new traditions in place of the old
Cause life without revision will silence our souls

 So we sing carols softly
As sweet as we know
A prayer that our burdens will lift as we go
Like young love still waiting under mistletoe
We’ll welcome December with tireless hope
-Sleeping At Last, Snow

Holiday Cut-Out Cookies | The Vanilla Bean Blog | Sarah Kieffer

Speaking of music, check out Eustace the Dragon’s cover of Justice Delivers Its Gift on vol. 3 – I’m in love with their version. Also! they have a holiday EP out now. It’s worth every dollar.

And this made me chuckle: James Thurber pens “A Visit from Saint Nicholas IN THE ERNEST HEMINGWAY MANNER” for The New Yorker, December 24, 1927.

Also: 51 Of The Most Beautiful Sentences in Literature to cure a bad day.

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Decorating Holiday Cookies | The Vanilla Bean Blog | Sarah Kieffer

More Sugar Cookie Recipes:

holiday cut-out cookies on wire rack

Holiday Cut-Out Cookies

Servings: 5 dozen
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Buttery and light cut-out cookies. Coconut oil is an ingredient that sets them apart. The oil helps the cookies hold their shape, so the baked cut-outs mimic what your cookie cutter was, and keeps the cookies from spreading so much. ?
Sarah Kieffer
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

COOKIES

  • 4 cups [568 g] all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ½ cups [3 sticks or 339 g] unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons refined coconut oil at room temperature
  • 1 ¾ cups [350 g] granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

SIMPLE GLAZE

  • 2 cups [240 g] confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 to 6 tablespoons [45 to 80 g] water
  • Food coloring optional

FREEZE-DRIED SUGAR COATING

  • 1 cup [200 g] granulated sugar
  • 1 to 2 cups [32 to 64 g] freeze-dried berries such as strawberries or raspberries (add more or less depending on how much flavor and vibrant color you want)

Instructions

FOR THE COOKIES

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, mix the butter on medium speed until creamy.
  • Add the coconut oil and mix again on medium speed until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and mix again on medium until light and creamy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the egg, yolk, and vanilla and mix again on low speed until combined. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until completely combined. Use a spatula to fold in any dry pieces of dough that may be lingering on the bottom of the bowl. Divide the dough in half; it can be used immediately or wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 4 days (let the dough come to room temperature before rolling).
  • Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350ºF [180ºC]. Line several sheet pans with parchment paper.
  • On a floured surface, roll out the dough somewhere between 1/8 in [4 mm] and ¼ in [6 mm] thick (the thinner the cookie, the crisper it will be, so this will depend on your preference). Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then slide a spatula underneath the dough and transfer the shapes to the sheet pans, leaving 1 in [2.5 cm] of space between the cookies. Chill the pans of cookies in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before baking. Dough scraps can be re-rolled and cut out again.
  • Bake the cookies, one pan at a time, until cooked through, 12 to 16 minutes. For a softer cookie, bake for 12 minutes; for a crisper cookie, bake longer, until light golden brown around the edges. Place the baking pans on a wire rack and let the cookies cool completely on the pans before icing. Repeat with the remaining cookies.

FOR THE SIMPLE GLAZE

  • Place the confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter, vanilla, salt, and 3 tablespoons of water and stir to combine. Add food coloring, if using. If the mixture is very thick, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Spread the glaze over the cooled cookies. Once the glaze is set, cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

FOR THE FREEZE-DRIED SUGAR COATING

  • Place the freeze-dried berries and granulated sugar in a food processor, and process until the berries are finely ground and the sugar and berries are combined, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle the tops of the just warm cookies (after baking) with the berry-sugar mixture, gently rubbing it into the surface, and shaking off any excess. The sugar-coated cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Notes

Reprinted from Baking for the Holidays: 50+ Treats for a Festive Season by Sarah Kieffer with permission from Chronicle Books, 2021. Photographs © Sarah Kieffer.
*Throughout my recipes posted on this website, 1 cup of flour equals 142g. Please note that 1 cup of flour can range anywhere from 120g to 142g, depending on the baker or website. I found that after weighting many cups of flour and averaging the total, mine always ended up around this number. If I am posting a recipe from another cookbook, I will use whatever gram measure of flour used in that book, which is why you may see a few posts with a different cup measurement. Different brands of flour have varying levels of protein, ranging from low to high, which can result in very different outcomes when baking. I’ve found Gold Medal all-purpose unbleached flour to be the best option for many of my recipes; I use it in all the baked goods that don’t use yeast. For yeasted doughs that call for all-purpose flour, I like to use King Arthur Brand. If you are using White Lily flour, please note that it is a low protein flour and doesn’t absorb liquid the same as regular all-purpose flours. Check the back of the flour bag for instructions on substituting it for regular all-purpose flours. 
  • Reply
    Julia
    Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 9:25 am

    Hello!!! I’m about to make this cookies but don’t have any coconut oil is there a way to use something else?? Thanks

  • Reply
    ML
    Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 7:10 am

    Hi. Thanks for the lovely recipe. However, I only want to make 2 dozen, but when you reduce the recipe it makes for impossible quantities, particularly with the egg: 0.4 large egg?? But then too: 0.4 teaspoon salt, 0.3 teaspoon baking powder, 0.1 teaspoon baking soda?? Too bad it can’t all be in grams to weigh it out easily.

  • Reply
    Bridget
    Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 11:35 am

    5 stars
    A perfect sugar cookie recipe! I’m very happy to report better definition in my more intricate cut outs, e.g., snowflakes. Happy holidays!

  • Reply
    Patty
    Monday, November 12, 2018 at 3:17 pm

    P.S. to my previous comment. Oh, and I am listening to Eustace and the Dragon and their harmonies just melt me.

  • Reply
    Patty
    Monday, November 12, 2018 at 10:29 am

    Just read this entry. Got to it through the most recent post. It was so timely for me, the poem, the 8-Track (which is terrific!), the St. Nick in Ernest Hemmingway’s voice, and the 51 best sentences. Your 8-Track is playing as I type. I always look for your entries that include writings, and references to music and literature. They must take time and I am grateful you took it.

  • Reply
    Whit @ Jewhungry
    Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    I feel ya on the sad facebook feeds as of late. Yikes! Anyway, cookies look beautiful and I hope you had a wonderful New Year. Here’s to the turn of happier Facebook feeds for all our friends and family!

  • Reply
    kristie {birch and wild}
    Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at 9:47 am

    Love these photos! All the best to you in 2015! Hope your house troubles are soon over 🙂

  • Reply
    Tiffany | offbeat + inspired
    Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    Love this!! Your photos are always so homey and cozy. Makes me feel like I’m there! Can’t wait to try this recipe too. 🙂 <3

  • Reply
    Sini | My Blue&White Kitchen
    Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 2:49 am

    I’m so so sorry to hear that those troubles with your home have still not been solved! I hope everything will soon be okay, or at least better. I love this post though; the pictures, the feeling of being with family, joyous holiday baking sessions… Some of the very best things this season has to offer!

    Merry Christmas to you and your whole family! xx

  • Reply
    [email protected]
    Friday, December 19, 2014 at 5:37 am

    I just stumbled on your blog and i have to say..it’s so so beautiful!!! I love these snowflake cookies

  • Reply
    Austin Bay
    Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    Hi Sarah,

    I’m sorry to hear about your house troubles…displaced is never a good feeling. Looks like you are eking out the small moments that matter, spending time with your kids + a batch of cookies. This is a beautiful post, love your writing + photography. Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    susanne
    Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 5:58 am

    thank you Sarah I had such a good baking morning with your christmas music?I wish you a warm christmas time?your inspiration is always so wonderful xo Susanne

  • Reply
    Mallory @forkvsspoon
    Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    Sarah – I hope that your home begins feeling more like a home soon – house struggles are always a bummer.
    The cookies and photos…my dear, always lovely. And I LOVE the cowboy hat wearing cooking baking kiddo…adorable!

  • Reply
    Abby
    Monday, December 15, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    These photos are so incredibly gorgeous, Sarah. You captured the party perfectly. I’m sorry to hear about the house troubles you’ve been having… Hopefully your Christmas this year will be a wonderful one. xx

  • Reply
    Gemma
    Sunday, December 14, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Beautiful xmas cookies. I too made snowflake-shaped cookies this week, I was sick at home with a nasty flu and had some leftover chocolate cookie dough in the freezer. Mine though didn’t look as pretty as yours cause I was coughing a lot and thought ‘to hell, I’m gonna eat the cookies with a warm cup of milk and curl up in bed’. :-p

    xoxo

  • Reply
    Rachael
    Sunday, December 14, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    I’m listening to your Vol.1 Christmas tracks on 8tracks right now! I love discovering new music! 🙂

    Those cookies look pretty good too!

    Also, I’ve never heard of the Quarterly company before, but it’s an awesome idea! I’ll have to check them out. I wish I knew of them in time for Christmas! Well, there’s always next year! Or for myself 😉

  • Reply
    Jordina
    Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 9:26 am

    Your recipes are great and you make the most wonderful pictures!

  • Reply
    Carol at Wild Goose Tea
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    A wonderful Christmasy post. I love the poem at the beginning and the marvelous cookies. Very very sweet and touching.

  • Reply
    Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    Making cookies like this during the holidays is one of my favorite things to do! These are so pretty!

  • Reply
    Melissa@Julia's Bookbag
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    darling Sarah, so bummed to hear about the ongoing house struggles – i’m a-thinking the good thoughts for you! Can I say how thrilled I am to have a new cookie recipe to try for cut-outs? I’m heartily tired of the one I’ve been using for yrs. And these pix – sooooooo lovely. xo to you!

  • Reply
    Hannah C
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 11:25 am

    Thank you so much for your blog. It truly warms my heart. I am reading the 51 sentences while listening to Sleeping at Last and I am so at peace.

    http://www.tasteneapolitan.com/

  • Reply
    molly yeh
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 10:32 am

    sending you lots of love and hugs, dear!!! i’m so sorry about your house troubles 🙁 you’ve still managed to create these absolutely stunning photos and this beautiful post. they are so inspiring, sarah. xoxoxo

  • Reply
    Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 10:00 am

    I hope that life settle in for you and you feel back to ‘normal’ soon! It seems like everything happens all at once, right?!

  • Reply
    Brian @ A Thought For Food
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 9:58 am

    House repairs can be the worst! I’m sorry you’re dealing with all of that… and now, in December. Totally sucky.

    But what’s not sucky are these cookies. They’re festive and look delicious!

  • Reply
    cynthia
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 9:35 am

    Oh, Sarah. So sorry to hear about house troubles (no furnace in Minneapolis!) and upheaval. It’s always jarring to me to see sadness and tragedy on Facebook — sometimes I feel like it can be such a paradox, present and vivid yet simultaneously distant. (?) Maybe that’s just me. Sending you my thoughts <3 and thank you so much for these absolutely beautiful photos. They capture all the peace and serenity of the holidays, just like Lindsey said.

  • Reply
    Lindsey
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 8:37 am

    i can imagine feeling the same non-home, home feeling, given what you’re dealing with. i’m sure it’s got to be a bit more frustrating with the holidays as well. sending good wishes and energy for a speedy house recovery. also, these images are quite beautiful, they inspire feelings of what the holidays are all about! xo

  • Reply
    Emma Galloway
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 7:01 am

    Loooove the hat shot. So. Damn. Cute. xx

  • Reply
    [email protected]
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 6:58 am

    Love these! Cut-outs are the best!

  • Reply
    Beverly Elaine
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 5:26 am

    The cookies look great, but that adorable guy in the hat stole the show!

  • Reply
    stephanie
    Friday, December 12, 2014 at 2:15 am

    sarah, i can’t believe your house troubles are still happening! i wish i could say something clever and witty that would make you feel better about all that is happening right now, but alas, i’m horrible at that! but, home is more of a feeling than an actual place and it seems to me that you and your family are quite home-y together. as long as you’ve got cookies to decorate, i’m thinking everything’s gonna be alright sending my love! 🙂

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