Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Sugar cookies for Santa!


We just finished making sugar cookies for Santa, one of the things my kids LOVE to do on Christmas Eve! They also walk over to a few of our neighbors and give them cookies too. Making homemade gifts is so inexpensive compared to buying them, plus when you make something on your own more thought, effort, and time goes into it... and I think people appreciate that!

I thought you all might enjoy trying out this Sugar Cookie recipe. This is my favorite recipe... and trust me I've tried a few! One of my really good friends gave me this recipe a long time ago. I've doctored it up a bit since then. Here is what I've come up with...

Sugar Cookies
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, cream together butter and both sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Add to the other mixture. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Make sure not to cook them to long especially if you like them soft. Cool completely.

Frosting Recipe
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup butter or shortening (I prefer butter)
5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
food coloring
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, cream together the confectioners sugar and shortening until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Color with food coloring if desired.

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