We Tried This Sugar Cookie Hack So You Don't Have To

There's a wide range to the scope of usability for online hacks — sometimes they really are a stroke of genius, and sometimes they're just a little silly. So to save you the time and money on your quest to make the perfect sugar cookies, we've tested one precision cookie-cutting hack out for you ahead of time. Here's the internet's suggestion: To ensure your sugar cookies are shaped exactly how you want them to be, skip front-loading the cookie cutters, simply spread all your dough out across a baking sheet, bake it, and then cut it into shapes right after pulling it from the oven while it's still warm and malleable.

So what's the verdict? Well, this one is a little bit smart — but it's also a little bit silly. The dough is super soft and easy to cut when it's freshly out of the oven, resulting in sharp, clear edges that aren't rounded or blurred by the rising process while a cookie bakes. But going this route means ending up with a ton of leftover dough from the scraps of what you cut out, and besides, most basic cookie shapes (think hearts or stars) are still very recognizable after being baked, rendering the hack a little unnecessary. If you are trying out a complex cookie cutter shape that you're worried won't hold up in the oven, or might break while baking, it might be worth taking special care to shape it post-bake. But for your run-of-the-mill Christmas cookie bake-a-thon? Maybe just accept that your cookies won't quite be perfect and make them in the typical manner — after all, cookies taste just as delicious no matter the shape.

One of the best things about sugar cookies is that they're a super easy cookie for beginner bakers. But if you're feeling a little extra and want to add some perfectionist complexity to your baking process, here's how you can pull off this hack well. First things first: Make sure you put parchment paper on your cookie sheet before spreading out the dough, or you'll have a really tough time doing the dishes later. And while you're at it, make sure you spread or roll out the dough evenly, to avoid having one side be undercooked, while the other side is burned.

Speaking of which, be very careful that you don't overbake the dough. The exact amount of time will depend on your recipe instructions, but in general, sugar cookies are done as soon as the bottoms turn golden brown. If they still feel soft, don't worry — sugar cookies harden significantly as they cool, and if you take them out too late, they'll turn crunchy and brittle, so it's better to err on the side of soft. As soon as the cookies are out of the oven, you can start pressing your cookie cutters into the dough, and once they've cooled for a few minutes, it will be easy to move them to a cooling rack using a spatula.

One fun idea to reduce waste? Divide all your dough into squares, and then make two cookies from each square: a positive and a negative impression. For example, you'll have a heart cookie, and a square cookie with a heart-shaped hole in the middle — unique and delicious! And if you want to make your (perfectly shaped) cookies even more unique? Experiment by adding unexpected flavors to your sugar cookies via creative mix-ins.