The first time I shared this recipe for Sugar Cookies, I found out months later–that I forgot to include the sugar in the list of ingredients. “Brilliant” is my middle name. I double and tripled checked this time–any other typos are for your viewing pleasure.
I use this recipe for heart shaped Valentine Cookies, pumpkin shaped Halloween cookies and–of course–the many shaped Christmas cookies. They are delicious and so easy and fun to make.
- ⅔ cup butter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Dash salt
- Powdered Sugar Icing
- In a large bowl beat butter with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add half the flour, the egg, sugar, milk, baking powder, vanilla and salt. Beat till thoroughly combined. Beat in remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover, chill for 3 hours.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the dough at a time ⅛-1/4"thick. Cut into desired shapes. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 7-8 minutes or till edges are firm (crispier cookies require a couple more minutes till edges are lightly browned). Cool cookies on a rack. Frost with Powdered Sugar Icing.
- Makes 24-36 Cookies (it depends on the size of your cookie cutters)
The Ingredients.
Beat the butter. I feel sorry for the butter–recipes are always calling for it to be beaten. Eggs too.
Mix in half the flour, egg, sugar, milk, baking powder, vanilla and salt.
Add the rest of the flour and mix well.
Divide dough in half and chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
On a lightly floured surface, roll half the dough at a time into 1/8″-1/4″ thickness.
Cut into desired shapes and place on ungreased cookie sheet. I purchased a collection of Christmas cookie cutters years ago (I think I got them at an after Christmas sale). They have everything you could possibly want to interpret Christmas and also include several we have no idea what they’re supposed to be (Is it a polar bear? Who knows? An elf? Sure. yeah. I think that ones an elf).
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 7-8 minutes. Allow to cool for 20-30 minutes.
Frost with Powdered Sugar Icing. This is just a mix of 2 cups of Powdered Sugar, 1/4 cup cream cheese (or you can use melted butter), a tsp of vanilla and about 1/4-1/2 cup of milk. Add the milk a little at a time until you get the consistency you want. Then divide it into separate dishes and add food colorings of your choice. The best part is the the sprinkles–so don’t forget those.
Enjoy!
This is a really fun recipe to make with your kids. My boys love to come up with their own creations with the cutouts and decorations. Just beware– they will sneak licks of frosting and handfuls of sprinkles when you aren’t looking.