These Chewy Spiced Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are perfect for this time of year. With warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, these cookies bring a cozy touch to your kitchen. They’re just what you need to start your Christmas cookie baking.

This recipe gives a twist to the traditional sugar cookie, adding rich flavors that make each bite special. The dough is easy to roll out and cut into fun shapes, making it a great activity for the family. Get ready for your house to smell like a holiday bakery!

Ingredients you’ll need for these Spice Sugar Cookies

This recipe calls for simple ingredients, found in any grocery store:

• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender texture. It also helps the cookies spread slightly while baking.
• Unsalted butter provides richness and flavor while also adding moisture. Creaming it with the sugar helps make the cookies light and fluffy.
• Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the ingredients together. It also adds moisture, giving the cookies a softer texture.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavors and adds a hint of warmth. It balances the spices with a touch of sweetness.
• All-purpose flour: Gives the cookies structure and helps them hold their shape. It’s the main ingredient for forming the dough.
• Baking powder: This helps the cookies rise a bit and become lighter. It ensures they aren’t too dense.
• Baking soda: Works alongside the baking powder to create a chewy texture. It also helps with browning the cookies.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the spices. Just a pinch makes a big difference.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and a classic holiday flavor. It’s one of the key spices for that cozy, festive taste.
• Ground ginger: Gives a bit of a zing and adds depth to the spice blend. It complements the sweetness perfectly.
• Ground cloves: Provides a touch of earthiness and intensifies the overall spice profile. A little goes a long way for a rich flavor.

Take a look at the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe!

Add-ons and Substitutions

Add-ons

• Sprinkles: Add festive sprinkles before baking or on top of the icing for a fun touch.
• Chopped nuts: Mix in chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for added crunch.
• Chocolate chips: Fold in mini chocolate chips for a bit of chocolatey goodness.
• Orange zest: Add some freshly grated orange zest to the dough for a hint of citrus flavor.

Substitutions

• Salted butter instead of unsalted: If using salted butter, skip the added salt in the recipe.
• Almond extract for vanilla extract: Swap some or all of the vanilla extract for almond extract for a different flavor.
• Pumpkin pie spice in place of individual spices: Use 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice instead of the cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, or just feel free to make your own spice mix.

How to Make These Christmas Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, until well combined. 

Add the butter, egg, and vanilla, and mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Place a sheet of parchment paper on your work surface, then transfer the sugar cookie dough onto it. Flour your rolling pin and roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness. 

Cut out your cookies using a cookie cutter and place them on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them 1.5 inches apart. 

Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

Expert Tips for the Best Spiced Sugar Cookies

• Chill the dough if it’s too soft: If the dough feels sticky or hard to work with, refrigerate it for 10 minutes before rolling. This helps keep the shapes intact while cutting.
• Use cold butter: Start with cold butter instead of room temperature for a chewier texture and soft cookies. It slows down the spreading while baking.
• Flour the cookie cutters: Lightly dust the cookie cutters with flour to prevent sticking and ensure clean edges.
• Avoid overmixing: Mix the dough just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough.
• Rotate the baking sheets halfway through: To ensure even baking, turn the sheets around halfway through the baking time.
• Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes: Let the cookies cool for 2-3 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to the wire rack. This prevents breakage and allows them to set slightly.
• Store the cookies with a slice of bread: Keep a slice of bread in the container with the cookies to help retain their softness longer. The bread will absorb any excess moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I spice up Sugar Cookies?

For this recipe I used my go-to sugar cookie recipe, the only difference is that I spiced them up with cinnamon, ginger, and ground cloves.

The personality of these cookies changed completely with the addition of these spices! while you can use normal sugar cookies all year round, when spiced up, they become a more seasonal cookie.

Should Sugar Cookies be soft or crispy?

Generally speaking, sugar cookies should be soft and tender. The best way to achieve this is by not over-beating the batter when the flour is added, once the flour is in, you should mix until just incorporated.

What happens is that you end up aerating the batter too much, and introducing too many air bubbles to it. This causes gluten development, which will end up in cakey and gummy cookies.

Can I use different spices in this recipe?

Yes! Feel free to experiment with other spices like nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom to customize the flavor profile to your liking.

How should I store the cookies?

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.

Can I decorate these cookies?

Absolutely! Once the cookies are completely cooled, you can decorate them with royal icing, sprinkles, or even dip them in chocolate for a fun twist.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?

Cookies may spread too much if the dough is too warm or if you didn’t use enough flour. Make sure to chill the dough if it feels sticky and measure your ingredients accurately.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling it out.

What should I do if my cookies come out too hard?

If your cookies are hard, it could be due to overbaking. Make sure to keep an eye on them while baking and take them out when the edges are lightly golden for a softer texture.

Follow this link if you’re looking for more Cookie recipes, or click the links below for some Christmas recipes:

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