DELUXE SUGAR COOKIES

Deluxe Sugar Cookies image

Provided by Angela (Grammy) Derby

Categories Cookies

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 16

COOKIE INGREDIENTS:
1 c butter, softened
1 1/2 c confectioners' sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
granulated sugar, colored sugar or frosting
FROSTING: OPTIONAL
1 lb confectioners' sugar
1/4 c butter, softened
dash of salt
1 tsp vanilla (use clear vanilla to keep it white)
1-2 Tbsp milk

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Chill for at least 1 hour or until easy to handle. (If you're making the log, do that now and wrap in waxed paper, then refrigerate. When chilled, just slice & bake.)
2. Divide dough into fourths. On a surface lightly sprinkled with confectioners' sugar, roll out the dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough.
3. Bake at 375° for 5-7 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
4. Whisk or whip with mixer all frosting ingredients together till smooth, adding a little milk at a time till it is the right spreading consistency. Have fun decorating your cookies and include the kiddies! Enjoy! The flavor of this sugar cookie is special and the cookie itself is so versatile. You can sugar them, frost them, roll them out & use cookie cutters or shape them by hand. I've done it all, and never had a complaint yet. I've even shaped them into a log, made Christmas bells or hearts, and sliced them just before baking...like the kind from the grocery store, but better!