Easy No-Chill Cut-Out Sugar Cookie Recipe: Quick & Delicious!

These cut-out no-chill sugar cookies are not only simple, quick, and incredibly easy to make, but they’re also wonderfully sweet and perfect for any occasion! If you’re looking to whip up a large batch of delicious sugar cookies without the hassle of long waiting times, this recipe is your ultimate go-to solution.

As an avid baker, I can confidently say this is one of my most cherished recipes, especially for those moments when time is of the essence. Whether unexpected guests arrive or I’m preparing for a festive cookie decorating session during the holidays, this recipe consistently saves the day. I’ve turned to it countless times in a pinch, and it never fails to impress!

If your days often feel too short, having this incredibly easy sugar cookie recipe at your fingertips is a true lifesaver. It’s perfect for when you need a simple yet delicious treat that comes together in record time. This is, without a doubt, the easiest sugar cookie recipe I know, making baking a joyous activity, especially when little helpers are eager to join in the fun of cutting out shapes!

Why You’ll Love These No-Chill Sugar Cookies

What makes this recipe truly special is its incredible convenience. Traditional cut-out sugar cookie recipes often demand hours of chilling the dough, which can be a real deterrent when you’re short on time or have impatient little bakers around. This no-chill version eliminates that waiting period entirely, letting you go from mixing bowl to warm, delicious cookies in under an hour!

• Speedy Preparation: No need to plan hours ahead! The dough comes together quickly and is ready to roll out immediately.
• Effortless Execution: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
• Perfect Texture: These cookies bake up soft, tender, and with just the right amount of sweetness – ideal for eating plain or decorating.
• Kid-Friendly: Get the whole family involved! Kids love rolling the dough and using cookie cutters, and the quick turnaround keeps their excitement levels high.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: From everyday treats to festive holiday decorations, these cookies are a blank canvas for your creativity.

Say goodbye to the frustration of delayed gratification and hello to instant cookie happiness!

🥘 Ingredients for Your Easy Sugar Cookies

One of the beauties of this no-chill sugar cookie recipe is its reliance on simple, everyday ingredients. You likely have most of these staples in your pantry right now! Fresh, quality ingredients always yield the best results, so let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is important.

• Unsalted Butter (room temperature): This is crucial! Room temperature butter creams beautifully with sugar, creating a light, airy base for your cookies. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the exact amount of salt in the recipe.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that classic sugar cookie texture.
• Baking Powder: Our leavening agent! It helps the cookies rise slightly, contributing to their soft and tender crumb without causing excessive spreading.
• Kosher Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness. Don’t skip it!
• Egg (medium-sized): Acts as a binder, adds moisture, and enriches the dough. Ensure it’s also at room temperature for better incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: Essential for that signature warm, comforting sugar cookie flavor. Use a good quality pure vanilla extract for the best taste.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of our cookies. Make sure to measure it correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly, to avoid dense cookies.

For precise quantities, please refer to the complete recipe card below.

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions for No-Chill Sugar Cookies

The beauty of this dough is that it skips the usual plastic wrap and chill time, meaning you can get these cookies into the oven incredibly fast. To maximize efficiency, start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F) for conventional ovens or 160°C (325°F) for fan-assisted ovens. While the oven warms up, line two baking trays with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine your softened, room-temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Using a hand mixer (or stand mixer with the paddle attachment), whip them together for about 2-3 minutes. Begin at medium speed and gradually increase to high speed. Continue until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step incorporates air, making your cookies tender.
2. Incorporate Wet and Dry Ingredients (Part 1): Keep mixing while you add the whole egg, salt, vanilla extract, and baking powder. Mix until just combined.
3. Gradually Add Flour: Begin adding the all-purpose flour, one spoon at a time, to the wet mixture. Continue mixing on low speed. As the dough comes together, it will thicken. If it becomes too stiff for your electric mixer, switch to kneading the remaining flour by hand. The key here is to mix only until the flour is evenly incorporated and no streaks remain. Overmixing will develop the gluten, resulting in tough cookies.
4. Prepare Your Work Surface: This no-chill dough is naturally softer and a bit stickier than traditional chilled dough, which is perfectly normal. Dust your clean work surface generously with flour. Alternatively, you can use a large sheet of parchment paper or a silicone mat, dusting it lightly with flour.
5. Roll Out the Dough: Transfer the dough onto your floured surface. Dust the top of the dough with a little more flour, and using a rolling pin, roll out the dough evenly to a thickness of approximately 0.5 cm (about ¼ inch). Aim for consistent thickness across the entire sheet of dough for even baking.



6. Cut Out Your Cookies: Now for the fun part! Choose any cookie cutters with simple shapes. Press them firmly into the rolled-out dough to create your desired cookie shapes. For best results with a no-chill dough, stick to less intricate designs to prevent spreading and distortion during baking.
7. Remove Excess Dough: Once you’ve punched out all your shapes, gently remove the excess dough around the cutouts. I find that a pallet knife or a thin butter knife works wonderfully for this, helping to keep the cookie shapes intact. Gather the excess dough, gently re-roll it, and repeat the cutting process on another piece of parchment paper until all the dough is used.





8. Bake to Golden Perfection: Carefully transfer your cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each. Bake them in your preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for approximately 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; you’ll know they’re perfectly baked when their edges begin to turn a light golden brown. Be careful not to overbake, or they will lose their signature softness.
9. Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes to firm up slightly. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This prevents the bottoms from getting soggy and ensures a crisp texture.
10. Store and Enjoy: Once fully cooled, store your delicious no-chill sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for at least five days, but honestly, they rarely last that long!

🍽 Essential Equipment for Baking

Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience. For this no-chill sugar cookie recipe, you won’t need anything overly fancy, but these items will ensure a smooth and successful process:

• Baking Sheets: For baking your cookies evenly.
• Hand-Held Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer: With a whisk or paddle attachment, essential for creaming butter and sugar.
• Large Bowl: For mixing your ingredients (if using a hand mixer).
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: To line baking sheets and for rolling out dough, preventing sticking.
• Rolling Pin: To achieve an even thickness for your cookie dough.
• Cookie Cutters: Simple shapes work best for no-chill dough.
• Pallet Knife or Butter Knife: Helpful for transferring delicate cut-outs and removing excess dough.
• Wire Cooling Rack: For cooling your cookies evenly after baking.
• Airtight Container: For storing your delicious cookies.

🌡 Storage Tips, Variations & Decorating Ideas

This recipe yields approximately 40 homemade sugar cookies, making it perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying over several days. Here are some tips to make the most of your batch:

Storage Suggestions

• Baked Cookies: Once completely cooled, store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delightful for up to five days. If you’ve made more than you can eat, these cookies make wonderful small gifts, especially during Christmas time! Package them in cute sandwich bags or small decorative boxes for friends, family, or co-workers.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: For longer storage, cooled baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Freezing Cookie Dough: While this is a no-chill recipe, you can still freeze the dough for future use! Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap (either as a whole disk or pre-cut shapes) and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking as usual, or bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.

Tips for Perfect Cookies Every Time

• Dough Consistency: This dough is intentionally soft. If it feels a little too sticky for your comfort, you can add a small amount of extra flour, but be cautious! Adding too much flour can result in dry, crumbly cookies. Just a tablespoon at a time should do the trick.
• Simple Shapes are Best: For these no-chill cut-out cookies, I highly recommend sticking to simple cookie cutter shapes like circles, squares, stars, or basic animal outlines. The dough is soft and might not hold intricate details as well as a thoroughly chilled dough. If your favorite cutters are very detailed, you might find this specific recipe yields less-than-perfect results for those elaborate designs. Save your intricate cutters for a recipe that calls for significant chilling time.
• Prevent Spreading: Ensure your oven is fully preheated to the correct temperature. A too-cold oven can cause cookies to spread. Also, avoid greasing your parchment-lined baking sheets.
• Even Thickness: Rolling the dough to an even thickness is paramount for uniform baking. Use a rolling pin with guides if you have one, or simply eyeball it carefully.

Variations and Decorating Ideas

These plain sugar cookies are a fantastic canvas for your creativity! They taste wonderful on their own, but also shine when decorated.

• Vanilla Bean: For an extra special flavor, scrape the seeds from half a vanilla bean into your butter and sugar mixture.
• Citrus Zest: Add a teaspoon of lemon, orange, or lime zest to the dough for a bright, refreshing twist.
• Almond Extract: Substitute half of the vanilla extract with almond extract for a different aromatic profile.
• Simple Glaze: A quick glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and a touch of vanilla is perfect for a simple finish.
• Buttercream Frosting: For a richer, creamier topping, a thin layer of your favorite buttercream frosting works wonders.
• Royal Icing: If you’re looking to create more detailed designs, royal icing is your best friend. These cookies hold up well to decorating.
• Sprinkles: Before baking, sprinkle some colorful nonpareils or sanding sugar on top for a festive crunch and visual appeal.

If you’re a fan of fancy sugar cookies and enjoy experimenting, you might also want to try an easy edible sugar cookie dough recipe for another delightful treat!

🙋🏻 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Other Delicious Recipes for You to Try

If you loved making these quick and easy sugar cookies, here are some other delightful recipes you might enjoy from my collection:

• Christmas Cookie Baking Basics (for when you do want to chill dough!)
• Divine Leftover Egg Yolk Cookies
• Sour Cream Cookies with Pearl Sugar
• Austrian Coconut “Brusserl” Cookies
• How To Make Delicious Linzer Cookies

If you give this wonderful recipe a try, I’d absolutely love to hear how you liked it! Please consider leaving a ★★★★★ star rating and a comment below. Your feedback means the world to me! You can also sign up for our Newsletter for weekly delicious recipes, or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creations with me. Just tag me @combinegoodflavors and hashtag #combinegoodflavors so I don’t miss it!

⛑️ Food Safety

Always prioritize food safety in your kitchen. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when baking:

• Ensure all ingredients, especially eggs, are fresh and within their expiry dates.
• Cook to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) if any ingredients pose a risk (though not typically for cookies, it’s good practice for general food handling).
• Do not use the same utensils on raw ingredients that you’ll use on cooked food without washing them thoroughly in between.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before, during, and after handling food.
• Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods, especially items containing dairy or eggs.
• Never leave cooking food unattended, particularly when the oven is on.
• Use clean baking sheets and parchment paper for each batch of cookies to prevent burning and maintain hygiene.
• Always ensure good ventilation in your kitchen when using a gas stove or oven.

For further information and detailed guidelines, always refer to reputable sources such as Safe Food Handling – FDA.