Mama’s Recipe Box: Sugar Cookies

By Bonnie Owens on November 18th, 2009

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Nothing says the holidays like a kitchen full of cookies.  I like to bake dozens of them all season long.  I give them as gifts to teachers and neighbors.  I bring them to holiday parties.  And of course I set them out on a platter for Santa, and our other guests too.  For the next six weeks I will be posting half a dozen of my favorite holiday cookie recipes.  This week I am starting with sugar cookies.  These are great because you can cut out autumn patterns for your Thanksgiving guests and then make some more later with your holiday patterns.  This recipe produces a sugar cookie that is firm with just enough softness and sweetness.  And it has a drop cookie variation if you don’t feel like rolling them out and making frosting.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 egg
• 2 1/3 flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• Colored sugar or frosting

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Beat powdered sugar and butter until light and fluffy.  Stir in vanilla and almond extracts and egg.  Stir in flour and baking soda.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
4. Divide dough in half.  On a lightly floured surface, roll out each half to 1/4 inch thickness.
5. Cut out shapes with desired cutters.  If cookies will not be frosted sprinkle with colored sugar.
6. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet about two inches apart.
7. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until edges are slightly browned.  Transfer from cookie sheet to cooling rack immediately.
8. Cool completely and decorate with colored frosting if desired.

No-roll variation

1. Replace the powdered sugar with 1 cup granulated sugar.
2. Mix ingredients as described.
3. Use a teaspoon to measure and shape dough into balls.
4. Place dough balls on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
5. Flatten with the bottom of a glass that has been dipped in sugar.
6. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until set.  Transfer from cookie sheet to cooling rack immediately.