On Saturday afternoon I tackled Traditional Sugar Cookies. I used a recipe given to me by my mom. The recipe below is exactly as she sent it to me, including all of her comments.
One lesson learned during this baking experience? Erin is incapable of nicely decorating sugar cookies using icing. Seriously, it was pretty pathetic. Luckily I decided to do the majority of the cookies using red and green sprinkles.
I made mine with only 4 different cookie cutters: angel, holly leaf, snowman, and a bell. I saw this 4-pack at the grocery store and they were just too cute to resist. They are actually what prompted this little baking frenzy.
I made a double batch and I think it made a little more than 5 dozen cookies, although I didn't count.
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Christmas Sugar Cookies
(I usually make a double recipe so I'll put the regular amount in front of the ingredient and then the double amount. Good Luck!)
Ingredients:
3/4 (1 1/2) cup shortening (I use butter)
1 (2) cup sugar
2 (4) eggs
1 (2) teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 (5) cups all-purpose flour
1 (2) teaspoon baking powder
1 (2) teaspoon salt
Directions:
Mix thoroughly shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla. (I usually take the butter out ahead so that it is kind of soft.) Blend in mixture of flour, baking powder and salt a little at a time. Cover; chill at least 1 hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered board (like pie crust). Cut into desired shapes. Decorate with colored sugar. Bake on ungreased baking sheet 6-8 minutes or until very light brown. They cook a little more when you take them out so don't over do. It's good to have two baking sheets so you can keep them going. Cool on rack and enjoy!
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This is part 2 of a three part series on Tasty Holiday Treats.
Read part 1: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Buckeyes
Read part 3: Chocolate and Marshmallow Church Windows
Oh, these look good too! But again, I think I'd wuss out and have my mom (or YOUR mom) make them for me. Or buy the pre-made dough. Or just buy sugar cookies from the bakery. Or the grocery store. Or just eat sugar from the bag.
Thanks for all the great dessert ideas!
Oh my these cookies look so yummy, I can almost taste them! Thanks for sharing and I wish you a wonderful Christmas! :)
JD and Mariuca: I looove these cookies. They are terribly addicting. You can't eat just one! At least I can't :)
I wish you both a very merry Christmas (if you celebrate) and a happy and healthy new year!