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8/30/12

Homemade Sugar Cookies - 2012 Version

Homemade Sugar Cookies


I've been making cut out cookies for years than I can count, and I have a handful of sugar cookie recipes that are 'keepers'.  Sometimes I want a sturdy shortbread based if they are going to be shipped or travel.  Other times I need them to be non-spreading if the cookie cutter I'm using is detailed with sharp edges.  Still other times I crave the flavor of the Christmas cookie my friends Mom would make every December.

This recipe is a good one because it incorporates so many good things.  It holds it's shape, yet puffs just enough to not look like a shortbread.  It is flavorful and delicious and goes well 'naked' with just a sprinkling of sugar or is the perfect blend of flavors when topped with your favorite icing or frosting.  It's just an all around good cookie.  The only thing I would caution is that it's a soft dough that needs to be chilled overnight (or all day if you make the dough in the morning and bake them that night).  If you don't have time to chill the dough, then simply make them into drop cookies by dropping them on the baking sheet and pressing with a fork or bottom of a sugared glass.

Homemade Sugar Cookies

1 c powdered sugar
1 c sugar
1 c oil
1 c butter
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
1 t salt
1 t cream of tartar
1 t baking soda
4 1/2 c flour (plus more for rolling)

Cream butter and oil with the sugars.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Add the dry ingredients and mix well.  Chill at least 4 hours.  You can roll into small balls or drop on a cookie sheet and press with a fork or bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.  If you want to cut out shapes, heavily flour your surface.  Flip dough, re-flour the surface and roll as thick as you want your cookies (thin or thick).  Place on parchment lined baking sheet, sprinkle with sugars if you want and bake at 350 for about 12 minutes until the edges are golden brown.  Remove, let sit on the sheet for about 1-2 minutes and then move to a rack to cool completely before icing as you wish.




A soft dough that needs chilling and lots of flour when rolling



Decorate as you wish!


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