Vanilla Bean Cut-Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

4.75 from 35 votes

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This Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie Recipe is easy to cut out, holds its shape after baking, yields soft and chewy sugar cookies and has the best flavor. Perfect for Christmas, Easter, Halloween, or any party, especially when paired with this simple buttercream frosting or my Royal icing. It really is the best sugar cookie recipe!

star shaped sugar cookie leaning on a glass of milk with other shaped sugar cookies in the background

These Vanilla Bean Cookies are amazing!!! Over the years this has always been my go-to sugar cookies recipe because it’s reliable and always turns out perfectly. Whether it’s for the holidays, birthdays or just getting a craving for really good sugar cookies, this should be your go-to recipe. You don’t need to plan ahead to soften butter, you don’t need to refrigerate the dough overnight and they always bake up soft and chewy every time. And the vanilla flavor is out of this world.

Love vanilla bean? Try my Vanilla Bean Cheesecake (Cheesecake Factory Copycat) recipe.

Main Ingredients Needed

The best sugar cookie recipe starts out with the right ingredients. Here is everything you’ll need to make delicious and soft cut-out cookies.

  • Salted Butter – cold and cubed! The salt in this helps balance all the other flavors.
  • Granulated Sugar – to sweeten, this IS a sugar cookie recipe after all. You can also use vanilla sugar here.
  • Egg – this is used for texture and structure.
  • Vanilla Bean – this is what makes these super delicious. You can of course sub out PURE vanilla extract if needed.
  • Almond Extract – once again, pure extract. If you can’t stand almond extract, leave this ingredient out and consider doubling up on the vanilla.
  • All-Purpose Flour – unbleached, this is used to fill out the rest of the cookie and help bring all the ingredients together.
  • Baking Powder – this is used for leavening.
sugar cookie ingredients

How to Make Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

For all the nitty-gritty details on how to make Cut-Out Sugar Cookies, see the recipe card down below 🙂

Step 1: Preheat + Prep

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

Step 2: Make Dough

Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, cream butter and sugar together. Stir in egg, vanilla beans and extract. In a small bowl stir flour and baking powder together. Slowly incorporate dry ingredients until a dough forms.

Step 3: Roll Out + Cut

Form the sugar cookie dough into a smooth ball then roll it out onto the floured surface to be just over 1/4″ thick. Cut cookies out using cookie cutters and place them onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Freeze, Bake + Cool

Freeze 5-7 minutes, then bake 10-12 minutes, or until bottoms have lightly browned but edges are still light in color. Cool 3 minutes on the cookie sheet, then remove to wire racks.

Step 5: Decorate!

Decorate as desired. More info on that below!

Vanilla Beans

How do I remove Vanilla Bean seeds?

First, you want to split the bean down the center with a paring knife. Working with one side at a time, and holding one end of the pod against the cutting board, you want to use the dull side of the paring knife (or butter knife, or a cheese board knife like I used) to scrape the seeds out. You’ll scrape the entire length of the pod. Then repeat with the other side. Usually the amount of seeds you get from a pod is the equivalent to 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

When you’re looking for vanilla beans at the grocery store, you want to look for ones that are more plump and full looking and have a glossy sheen. Wait to scrape the seeds out until you’re ready to add them to your recipe. Here’s the brand I purchase often and they are great quality. Although the whole vanilla bean is packed with flavor, it’s the coveted seeds inside that we want for this recipe.

cutting out sugar cookies with cookie cutters

Decorating cut-out sugar cookies is such a fun activity to do with your kids – it’s one of my favorite things! Here are a couple of things to consider before delving into frosting mode.

Type of Frosting? I have a ton of frosting recipes here on the blog, but the ones that I found that are the best to decorate sugar cookies are my Buttercream Frosting Recipe and Easiest Royal Icing Recipe.

Coloring. With either of these recipes, you can add different food coloring to make your cookies pop.

Flavoring. Another thing to consider is flavoring your icing. Make it chocolate, or mint. Maybe even lemon!

Best Way to Frost? For my buttercream frosting, grab yourself some spoons and butter knives. It’s a thicker frosting so piping might not be the best option. On the other hand, my royal icing recipe is perfect for piping. If you have younger kids, I’d stay away from the royal icing and opt for spreadable buttercream.

Sprinkles. Sprinkles are another great way to make your sugar cookies stand out. Plus kids tend to go bananas over them.

Storing Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

This cut-out sugar cookie recipe will stay soft and tasty for up to 5 days when stored at room temperature in an airtight container. To lengthen their shelf life, cover and refrigerate for up to 10 days.

Freezing Instructions

OR consider freezing these cookies to make them ahead of time (baked or unbaked)! Here’s how to do both:

Freezing the Dough

Make the cut-out sugar cookie recipe as written below. Form prepared dough into one or two thick discs and place into a large food storage bag or wrap well in plastic wrap and then foil. As long as the dough is wrapped well, it should be good in the freezer up to two months. To defrost, place at room temperature for 2-3 hours or until soft. Cut out and bake cookies as desired.

Freezing Baked Sugar Cookies

Completely cool your baked cookies and transfer to plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Containers will help prevent baked sugar cookies from breaking. Freeze for up to three months. To defrost, set at room temperature for about an hour. Decorate as desired.

3/4 view of cut out sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles
Can I use vanilla extract if I don’t have vanilla bean?

Yes, you can use 1-3 tsp of either vanilla extract per vanilla bean or follow the directions on your vanilla paste jar as those can vary.

The printable recipe card is down below, enjoy 🙂

Close up of a sugar cookie with sprinkles
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4.75 from 35 votes

Vanilla Bean Cut-Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

This Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie Recipe is easy to cut out, holds its shape after baking and yields soft and chewy sugar cookies.
servings 24 cookies
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks) cold & cut into chunks
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (or vanilla sugar)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 vanilla beans scraped
  • 1/2 tsp pure almond extract
  • 3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Cream butter and sugar together. Stir in egg, vanilla beans and extract. In a small bowl stir flour and baking powder together. Slowly incorporate dry ingredients. 
  • Roll dough out onto the floured surface to be just over 1/4" thick. Cut cookies out using cookie cutters and place onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet. 
  • Freeze 5-7 minutes, then bake 10-12 minutes, or until bottoms have lightly browned but edges are still light in color. Cool 3 minutes on the baking sheet, then remove to cooling racks. Decorate as desired.

Notes

Nutritional information is for plain, unfrosted sugar cookies.

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 246IU | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cut out sugar cookie recipe, cut out sugar cookies
4.75 from 35 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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90 Responses
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    […] REAL BAD for a bite of a proper chewy, buttery, vanilla-y sugar cookie. I don’t make the cut out kind very often anymore because it makes such a mess and it’s a little more time consuming than […]

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    […] off, I used my Vanilla Bean Christmas Cookie Recipe (minus the vanilla beans because have you seen the prices lately?! YIKES.) and instead of cutting […]

  6. Katherine

    5 stars
    My son and I made these and they’re so yummy… Light and flavorful,. They melt in your mouth! The cookies are soft and have a lovely texture.I enjoy them unfrosted with my coffee.
    We used regular sugar, but the vanilla bean is probably what makes them so siimply flavorful. It’s pricey @$20 from our grocery in CA. but worth it.!!

  7. Melissa

    5 stars
    I found this recipe years ago and have never used another. Everyone loves these cookies and always ask for the recipe, is it bad I keep it to myself? ????

  8. Msbellabree

    3 stars
    I actually tried the recipe you posted. The dough was a crumbly, dry mess. It never came together and I had to throw it out. Huge waste!

    1. Kelly K

      Same thing happened to me! I baked them after compressing the crumbs together and they were all trashed. Not sure what I did wrong.

  9. Lauren's Latest » Meet my Trainer!

    […] the worse. Over the holidays, that thought definitely WAS NOT on my mind as I was shoveling in the Christmas cookies and birthday cake. But come new years, I was ready for a challenge and I was up for a […]

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    […] how you make them: Start by making some of my sugar cookie dough. Original step by step photos for this can be seen here. Directions are also written out below in […]

  11. Kellie

    5 stars
    This is the BEST sugar cookie recipe I have ever tried. I made them on Sunday. They are still soft 5 days later. They have great flavor and hold a great shape, everything I have always looked for in a sugar cookie!!! I have tried many, many recipes and nothing is even close to this. My family raved about them and everyone wanted the recipe. Thanks for sharing this!

    1. Katie Eckstein

      I just made the dough. I’m wondering if instead of freezing each set of cookies, can I just chill the dough for a few hours then roll them and bake them? I want minimal spreading for sure.

  12. 55 Recipes for Christmas Cookies - Rachel Cooks

    […] Cooks} Christmas Thumbprint Cookies {Lil’ Luna) Melted Snowmen {Smashed Peas and Carrots} Vanilla Bean Christmas Sugar Cookies {Lauren’s Latest} Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies {i am baker} Charlie Brown Christmas […]

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    […] Holiday Favorites 1.Thumbprints 2. Peanut Butter Blossoms 3. Sugar Cookies – Decorating Ideas 4. Sugar Cookies – Recipe […]

  14. Lauren's Latest » Mini Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Kiss Cheesecakes

    […] you waiting for?? Enter HERE. And these are the recipes I’ve shared over the last few days: Vanilla Bean Christmas Sugar Cookies, Gingerdoodles, Red Velvet Coconut Doughnuts and Candy Cane Crinkles. Make sure to check them […]

  15. Megan's Cookin'

    5 stars
    I’ve been using this same recipe for many years and they are always perfect! Love how you decorated them, especially that mitten! 🙂

  16. Anna

    5 stars
    I knew your cookies would be awesome!! I think our daughters are about the same age and I love that they’re actually HELPFUL now, so fun to pass on the passion!!

  17. Veronica Miller

    5 stars
    I was one of the lucky recipients of these delicious, most beautimous cookies! Thank you so much–they are wonderful! I did take a photo and feature it at the bottom of my own cookie recipe today. Love the pics of your little helper! 🙂

  18. Michelle Slater

    Is there anyway to get the full recipe? The one you’ve posted does not give the amount of flour, almond extract, vanilla extract, or eggs to use. I have been searching forever for a sugar cookie recipe that doesn’t turn crispy the way mine usually do. I would love to try this one out!!! Thanks!!!

    1. Linda Underwood

      Did you ever get the full recipe? I’ve requested it three times without a resonse, just wondering if you had better luck and if so could you send it to me. Linda

    2. Shani

      5 stars
      Vanilla Bean Christmas Sugar Cookies
      YIELD 2-3 DOZEN COOKIES
      INGREDIENTS

      3 c unbleached, all-purpose flour
      2 tsp baking powder
      1 c vanilla sugar {or regular sugar}
      2 sticks butter, cold & cut into chunks
      1 egg
      3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
      1/2 tsp pure almond extract
      1 vanilla bean, scraped
      INSTRUCTIONS

      Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
      In a small bowl stir flour and baking powder together. Set aside. Cream butter and sugar together. Stir in egg, extracts and vanilla bean. Slowly incorporate dry ingredients. Roll dough out onto floured surface to be just over 1/4″ thick. Cut cookies out using cookie cutters and place onto parchment paper lined baking sheet. Freeze 5-7 minutes, then bake 10-12 minutes. Cool 3 minutes on baking sheet, then remove to cooling racks. Decorate as you like.

      1. Milleah Espino

        5 stars
        I have made this recipe a couple of times and I LOVE this cookie recipe, and my family does as well 🙂 It’s so easy and so yummy, and they hold their shape perfectly. They turn out so beatiful that they can be given as gifts during the holiday season! Thank you for posting!

  19. Esther @ Esther Eats!

    Whaaaaaa these sound delicious! As I mentioned on the other post, I love sugar cookies, so these are getting made PRONTO!

  20. Amy @ A Little Nosh

    I just put the mixing bowl cover in my Amazon cart. I can’t believe I didn’t think to get one sooner. I make a MESS when I bake and this would totally help. And help my son be able to assist me. Thanks!

  21. Rachel @ The Avid Appetite

    these are absolutely beautiful Lauren! I would happily devour 2 dozen of them 🙂 And I love that your cute little munchkin got to help out too.

  22. Melissa // thefauxmartha

    I love that sugar cookie recipe too! It’s my fave. The cookies look beautiful and so does your little one—just like her momma!

  23. From Valerie's Kitchen

    Lauren, your daughter is an absolute doll! So that’s what it’s like to have a daughter huh??? 🙂 I’m just about to embark on some sugar cookie baking for donations next week and this recipe looks like a good one.

  24. Megan Pence

    Gorgeous, just gorgeous. You’re adorable baby just made my fever break – baby-fever has struck. Ahhh!!! Too cute for words.

  25. Sara

    Yum! I think I’ll have to try these! I already have my absolute fave sugar cookie recipe, but I’d really like to try out a vanilla bean recipe too. Adorable pics!

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