Every year my sister and I host a Christmas Eve extravaganza. We celebrate with our family and friends the best way we know how: loads and loads of yummy treats. My sister handles all of the savory items, and I take on the cheese plate and the sweets - naturally. Every year I make sugar cookies. Some years they are in shapes of towering cookie Christmas trees, other years they are simple and gorgeous sparkling snowflakes. The best part of this recipe is that you can make these cookies into anything you can imagine and it is a great recipe all year round.
Classic Sugar Cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 Hour
Servings: 30 Cookies
Sugar Cookie:
3 Cups Flour
1 Cup Unsalted Butter softened
1 Cup Confectioner's Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 Large Egg
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Tbsp Lemon Zest
Directions:
1. Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy (2-5 minutes)
2. Add the egg and incorporate fully, then add lemon juice, vanilla, and lemon zest.
3. Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder, and slowly add to wet ingredients.
4. Mix until fully incorporated.
5. Separate the cookie dough in half, form into flat, small rounds, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
6. Preheat oven at 325.
7. Remove the chilled dough from the fridge and place on a lightly floured surface and roll out to 1/4 inch think - no thinner.
8. Use the cookie cutters of your choice and place the cookies on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake for 8-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
9. Let them cool completely before frosting.
Icing:
2 Cups Confectioner's Sugar - Sifted
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
4-6 Tbsp Warm Water or milk
Food Coloring and sprinkles of your choice
Directions
1. Sift the confectioners sugar into a medium sized bowl and add the vanilla and 2 Tbsp of water/milk.
2. Mix until it starts to come together.
3. Continue adding water/milk until the mixture is smooth and frosting comes off a spoon in a thick, smooth ribbon. Add 1 Tbsp at a time to get desired texture.
4. Separate out the frosting to create the colors you desire.
5. Frost cookies and set aside at room temperature for at least 4 hours to set before serving.
6. Enjoy!
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