Homemade sugar cookies as quick and easy as store-bought.
Or plan ahead and make a batch for birthdays, showers, weddings, or a myriad of holidays.
From stunningChristmas cookiesto spooky Halloween ghosts, the possibilities are endless.

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If you’re ready to decorate, check out ourtop decorating tipsand recipes forcooking icingandvanilla buttercream frosting.
Some of our favorite seasonal decoration ideas are below.
Chill dough disks:
Turn dough out on work surface.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Cut dough in half and shape each portion into a compact disk.
Wrap separately in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Cut out cookies:
Preheat oven to 375F.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Cut into chosen shapes and place cookies 2 inches apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
Refrigerate cookies on baking sheets for 5 to 10 minutes to help them keep their shape when baked.
Cool cookies completely on wire racks, about 20 minutes.

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Repeat process with remaining dough.
Chill your dough for additional time until firm before rolling on a floured surface.
Zests, spices, and extracts can all be added to sugar cookie dough for additional flavor.

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Try pumpkin spice in the fall or peppermint extract around the holidays.
Cocoa can also be added in the place of some of the flour for achocolate sugar cookie.
Butter cookiesand sugar cookies both make for buttery cookies with a tender crumb and crisp edge.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Butter cookies typically contain a higher percentage of butter per recipe.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox