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Home » Seasons » Christmas » Brown Sugar Cookies

Brown Sugar Cookies

By: Rosemary Published: December 22, 2020 Updated on: December 23, 2022

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

These Brown Sugar Cookies are a delicious change from the classic Sugar Cookie, this is the perfect dough for making cut out cookies. A soft cookie with a little crunch. The perfect Christmas Cookie addition.

sugar cookies on a black plate

I love this time of year even if it isn’t the best year ever! making Christmas Cookies. I especially love working with dough, any kind of dough,  Sweet Dough,  Cookie Dough and especially Cut-Out dough.

The other day (when I first posted this recipe) I was going through my Mom’s Christmas Cookie Recipes,  looking to see if there was anything interesting that I had missed. And of course there was, because that is when I found these Brown Sugar Cut-Out Cookies. And today I decided that I would remake them and they would be my last Christmas Cookie of the year!

Table of Contents

  • How to make them
      • Never Miss a Recipe!
  • How to keep cookies from spreading
  • How to store them
  • How to freeze cookies
  • More Delicious Christmas Cookies to make
  • Brown Sugar Cookies
    • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • BROWN SUGAR DOUGH
      • *If using unsalted butter then add ¼ teaspoon of salt.
      • FROSTING
      • EXTRAS
    • Instructions 
      • FROSTING
    • Nutrition

How to make them

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a medium bowl beat butter and sugar, then add the egg and vanilla and beat just until combined.

sugar & butter beaten and whisked dry ingredients in a white bowl

Add the flour mixture in 2 additions alternating with the milk mix just until combined. Move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead a couple of times into a dough ball, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

combine the beaten ingredients & the dry ingredients, rolled into a dough ball

Roll the dough into a ¼ inch thickness then cut out with cookie cutters, place the cut out cookies on parchment paper lined cookie sheets, sprinkle with sprinkles. Chill while the oven is pre-heating.

rolled dough cut out on cookie sheets and with sprinkles

Bake approximately 8-12 minutes or until slightly golden on the edges. Let cool on cookie sheet then move to a wire rack, cool completely before icing if desired.

baked sugar cookies on a black cookie sheet

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    How to keep cookies from spreading

    To keep the cookies from spreading it is best to beat the butter and sugar just until combined and not creamed (of course this also depends on the type of cookie), for some cookies including some icing sugar in the mixture also keeps the cookies from spreading. And probably most important of all, is to use a higher protein flour with at least 11.5- 12% protein count. And don’t forget to chill the dough for at least 1 hour and again the cut out cookies before baking. Using most of these will help produce the perfect Christmas Sugar Cookies.

    How to store them

    The baked cooled cookies should be stored in an airtight container in a cool dry area, they will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be refrigerated in an airtight container, they will keep for up to 7-10 days. If you don’t eat them before this then it is best to freeze them.

    cookies on a black plate

    How to freeze cookies

    Place the completely cooled cookies in a freezer safe container, place a piece of parchment paper between the layers. If you plan on decorating them with frosting then it is best to freeze them without frosting. You can also freeze the dough, either roll and cut the cookies, place them on a cookie sheet and freeze until firm, then place them in a freezer safe container.

    Or you can freeze the dough, wrap it well in plastic wrap, place in a freezer safe bag and freeze. Both the baked cookies and the dough will last up 3 months in the freezer.

    cookies on a plate with pine cones in the back ground

    For someone like me who is not the best decorator in the world. Easy decorations with sprinkles and extra mini chocolate balls make a cookie look really cute. Or you could even get the kids to do the decorating part, they would love it. If you decide to ice the cookies, just make sure that your icing is really really thick, so that it doesn’t drip off the cookie and take the sprinkles with it, you want the sprinkles to stick.

    More Delicious Christmas Cookies to make

    Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies

    Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies

    Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

    Easy Chocolate Chip Whipped Shortbread

    So if you are looking for a fast and easy last-minute cookie, I think you will be quite pleased with these Brown Sugar Cut-Out Cookies. Enjoy and Happy Baking!

    up close sugar cookie

    brown sugar cookies on a black plate

    Brown Sugar Cookies

    Rosemary Molloy
    Easy Brown Sugar Cookies, a delicious cut out cookie dough recipe, a soft cookie with a little crunch. One of my Mom's best recipes. 
    4.35 from 26 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Chilling Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 42 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 22 cookies
    Calories 120 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    BROWN SUGAR DOUGH

    • 2 cups all purpose flour (11.5 + protein) (260 grams)
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 pinch salt*
    • ½ cup butter (softened) (112 grams)
    • 1 cup brown sugar ( light- very lightly packed)* (160-170 grams)
    • 1 large egg
    • ¾ teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 teaspoons milk

    *If using unsalted butter then add ¼ teaspoon of salt.

      FROSTING

      • ½ cup powdered/icing sugar (60 grams)
      • ¼ teaspoon vanilla
      • 1 tablespoon milk

      EXTRAS

      • sprinkles (if desired)

      Instructions
       

      • In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
      • In a medium bowl beat butter and sugar for 1 minute then add the egg and vanilla beat just until combined. Add the flour mixture in 2 additions alternating with the milk (1 teaspoon at a time)mix just until combined.
      • Move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead a couple of time into a dough ball, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate 60 minutes.
      • Roll the dough into a ¼ inch thickness then cut out with cookie cutters, place the cut out cookies on parchment paper lined cookie sheets, sprinkle with sprinkles. Chill while the oven is pre-heating.
      • Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C)
      • Bake approximately 8-12 minutes or until slightly golden on the edges. Let cool on cookie sheet then move to a wire rack, cool completely before icing if desired. Enjoy!

      FROSTING

      • In a small bowl mix together the powdered sugar and vanilla then gradually add the milk (a little at a time, 1 tablespoon might be too much, because you want it really thick), place in pastry bag and draw an outline on the cookie, top with sprinkles. (I placed the cookie on a plastic plate before sprinkling so I didn't have sprinkles everywhere).

      Nutrition

      Calories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 45mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 141IUCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
      Keyword brown sugar cookies, brown sugar cut out cookies
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

      Updated from December 20, 2015.

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        1. Vanessa says

          December 22, 2022 at 11:10 pm

          I have a question about the butter is it suppose to be room temp bc it didn’t specify

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            December 23, 2022 at 7:59 am

            Hi Vanessa, sorry about that, yes it should be softened. I hope you enjoy them. Merry Christmas.

            Reply
        2. Rashida Richards says

          December 11, 2022 at 7:51 pm

          Would I able to replace the dairy products for plant based and vegan options? I have a little one who would love these cookies

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            December 12, 2022 at 7:48 am

            Hi Rashida, I have never made these with vegan substitutes but you could try. Let me know if you do. Take care!

            Reply
        3. Kisa says

          December 22, 2020 at 3:39 am

          Can’t rate your recipe yet as I haven’t tried it. Want to ask first – light brown sugar or dark? a packed cup?
          Thanks,

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            December 22, 2020 at 8:40 am

            Hi Kisa, I used light brown sugar and lightly packed. I am actually remaking them now with updated photos and info. 🙂

            Reply
            • Kisa Valenti says

              December 23, 2020 at 3:34 pm

              Thanks so much for your reply. I will give them a try.

        4. Julie says

          December 17, 2016 at 11:33 pm

          5 stars
          I added 1/4 tsp each cinnamon and nutmeg. Great recipe and delicious cookie. Thank you for this recipe!

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            December 18, 2016 at 11:24 am

            Hi Julie, thanks, good idea and glad you liked them. Have a wonderful Christmas.

            Reply
        5. Teri Giese says

          December 21, 2015 at 6:17 am

          Love brown sugar as well, never have ran across a recipe for brown sugar cut out cookies. So, of course I MUST try them!Pinned them also. Betting the dough is yummy too. Thanks and Happy Holidays!

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            December 22, 2015 at 1:55 pm

            Hi Teri, thanks for pinning and hope you enjoy them. Happy Holidays to you too! 🙂

            Reply

        Hi, I'm Rosemary.

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