Holiday Cutout Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 5 min./batch

Makes

about 10 dozen

Updated: Jan. 05, 2023
The only limit to these fun cutouts is your cookie cutter collection and your imagination! If you prefer crisp cookies, sprinkle with colored sugar before baking and skip the frosting. My family loves these easy holiday cookies! —Anne Grisham, Henderson, Nevada
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup shortening
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 6 tablespoons evaporated milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • FROSTING:
  • 3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons half-and-half cream
  • Food coloring of your choice, optional
  • Assorted sprinkles

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, milk and extracts. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough into four portions. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate, covered, overnight or until firm enough to roll.
  2. Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-in. holiday cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  3. Bake until edges are lightly brown, 5-7 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  4. In a large bowl, beat confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and enough cream to reach a spreading consistency. If desired, beat in food coloring. Frost and decorate cookies as desired.

Can you freeze Holiday Cutout Cookies?

Freeze undecorated cookies in freezer containers for up to 3 months. To use, thaw in covered containers and decorate as desired.

Test Kitchen Tips
  • Don't overmix the dough! Overmixing or handling the batter too much will result in dense, tough cookies.
  • Check out the 10 secrets to baking the best cutout cookies.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 cookie: 87 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 36mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.