Recipes and Cooking Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts Be the first to rate & review! What are the holidays without sugar cookie cutouts?! Never let the holiday cookie tradition fall by the wayside, here's the sugar cookie recipe you need. By BHG Test Kitchen BHG Test Kitchen The Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen has been in continuous operation for nearly 100 years, developing and testing practical, reliable recipes that readers can enjoy at home. The Test Kitchen team includes culinary specialists, food stylists, registered and licensed nutritionists, and other experts with Bachelor of Science degrees in food science, food and nutrition, or culinary arts. Together, the team tests more than 2,500 recipes, produces more than 2,500 food images, and creates more than 1,000 food videos each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on August 5, 2016 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Prep Time: 40 mins Chill Time: 1 hrs Bake Time: 7 mins Total Time: 40 mins Servings: 36 Yield: 36 to 48 cookies Jump to Nutrition Facts Ingredients ⅔ cup butter, softened ¾ cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 egg 1 tablespoon milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cup all-purpose flour 1 recipe Powdered Sugar Icing (optional) 1 recipe Royal Icing (optional) Powdered Sugar Icing 1 ½ cup powdered sugar ¼ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract 3 teaspoon milk Royal Icing 1 16 ounce package powdered sugar (about 4 cups) 3 tablespoon meringue powder ½ teaspoon cream of tartar ½ cup warm water 1 teaspoon vanilla Directions In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours or until dough is easy to handle. Preheat oven to 375°F. On a lightly floured surface roll half the dough at a time to 1/8- to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutters, cut into desired shapes. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake ifor 7 to 10 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are very light brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool. If desired, frost with Powdered Sugar Icing. Let stand until set. Powdered Sugar Icing In a small bowl combine powdered sugar, vanilla or almond extract, and enough milk to make smooth and of drizzling consistency. Makes about 1/2 cup. Royal Icing In a large mixing bowl stir together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and cream of tartar. Add the water and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined; beat on high speed for 7 to 10 minutes or until icing reaches a stiff piping consistency. If not using right away, cover bowl with a damp paper towel and cover paper towel with plastic wrap; chill for up to 48 hours. Chocolate Cutouts: Prepare as directed, except substitute 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder or unsweetened dark Dutch-process cocoa powder for 1/3 cup of the flour.Nutrition Analysis: Same as above, except: 72 calories, 9 g carbohydrate Citrus Cutouts: Prepare as directed, except beat in 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon or orange peel with the egg and substitute lemon or orange juice for the milk.Nutrition analysis: Same as above, except: 1% Vitamin A, 58 mg sodium Nut Cutouts: Prepare as directed, except add 1/3 cup finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts with the flour.Nutrition analysis: Same as above, except: 81 calories Peppermint Cutouts: Prepare as directed, except substitute 1 teaspoon peppermint extract for the vanilla and add 1/4 cup finely crushed striped round peppermint candies with the flour.Nutrition Analysis: 79 calories, 11 g carbohydrate, 5 g total sugar Spice Cutouts: Prepare as directed, except add 1 to 2 teaspoons apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice with the sugar. If desired, substitute eggnog for the milk.Nutrition analysis: Same as above. To Store: Layer undecorated cookies in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Tip: Look for meringue powder in the cake decorating aisle of a hobby or crafts store. Rate it Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 74 Calories 4g Fat 10g Carbs 1g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 36 Calories 74 % Daily Value * Total Fat 4g 5% Saturated Fat 2g 10% Cholesterol 15mg 5% Sodium 59mg 3% Total Carbohydrate 10g 4% Total Sugars 4g Protein 1g Calcium 10.1mg 1% Iron 0.4mg 2% Potassium 11mg 0% Folate, total 12.1mcg *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.