How to Make Cut Out Cookies From a Cookie Mix

Though sugar cookies come to mind during the holidays, any time of year is great for making pretty cookies.

A sugar cookie, colorfully iced and topped with sugar sprinkles, is pleasing to both the eye and the palate. And while making, baking and decorating cookies is a fun experience, it is also a lengthy one. By using a cookie mix, you can speed up the process. With the widespread availability of cookie mixes on the market today, it is easy to find one to make your favorite cut-out cookie. You'll be enjoying that cookie in no time at all.

Things You'll Need

• Cookie cutters
• Flour or cocoa

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to the temperature called for on the cookie mix, usually 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Follow the directions on the package to make the cookies. Most cookie mixes provide directions for drop and cutout cookies -- the difference being in the amount of ingredients used. Be sure to follow the instructions for making cut-out cookies.

2. 

   Lightly sprinkle the rolling pin with flour, cocoa -- or even powdered sugar, to prevent sticking.

   Chill dough prior to rolling out, if called for in the recipe. Otherwise, put dough on a lightly floured surface, such as a cutting board. Roll out to desired thickness -- usually ¼ inch. Be sure to roll out to an even thickness so that the cookies bake uniformly.

3. 

   Metal cookie cutters work best when you want a clean cut and shape.

   Cut out shapes using your preferred cookie cutters. If the shapes have well-defined edges, lightly flour the cookie cutters prior to cutting the dough. If you are using a chocolate dough, dip cookie cutters in unsweetened cocoa instead of flour -- this will ensure the cookies do not have any white spots (from the flour) after baking. As you cut out the shapes, try to cut each cookie as close to the next one as possible. This minimizes the amount of wasted dough. (Dough rolled out a second time yields a tougher cookie.)

4. Lift up the unbaked cookies with a wide spatula and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Space cookies an inch apart as the cookies will spread somewhat during baking.

5. 

   For a simple and delicious cookie, dip in melted chocolate.

   Bake and cool the cookies per the directions. Be sure cookies are completely cooled prior to decorating. Decorate with colored icing or sugar, sprinkles and assorted candies.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit the Sunset Magazine website for cookie ideas. Though the recipes call for cookies made from scratch, you can substitute your favorite cookie mix and follow the recipe for shaping and decorating the cookies. (See Resource 1.)

References

• Betty Crocker: Tips for Rolled Cookies

Resources

• Sunset Magazine: Cutout Cookies