While I'm still staying at a family members house out of state, I decided to whip up some cookies for them today while the little ones were napping. Well, one was napping and the other quietly playing in his room. When he heard the beaters going he just had to come see what I was making and then helped me out by licking the beaters!
I decided to make sugar cookies as they are so quick and easy and everyone likes them; there is no overwhelming flavor or ingredient that turns most people off (like chocolate does to me!). Sugar cookies are a little crazy though; almost all recipes have the exact same ingredients in one way or another yet they all can taste so incredibly different!
Well, this one... today... purely by accident and throwing things together turned out to be my most favorite sugar cookie of all times to date. I think a BIG PART of this delicious flavor is the brand name of 2 items I use. The vanilla and the sugar. I've never, ever had anything not turn out when using this brand of sugar and the brand of vanilla is top notch for all baked goods.
This is not a roll and cut out dough; this is one you form a ball, squash it a bit with the bottom of a glass or your hand, and sprinkle with sugar or wait and leave blank to add a swirl of frosting later. You could make it into a cut out dough though by adding about 1/2 cup more flour and chilling the dough before rolling out on a floured surface and cutting them.
The most perfect sugar cookie
1/2 c real butter
1/2 c Crisco brand shortening
1 1/2 c Morena Pure Cane Sugar
2 eggs
2 t Watkins Original Vanilla Extract
2 1/2 c flour
1 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/4 t cream of tartar
1/4 t baking powder
Cream the butter, shortening, sugar and eggs till fluffy. Add the vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and beat until until blended, scrape down the sides when needed. If it's really sticky you could add a little more flour by tablespoons but don't get too much flour in there or your cookies will be too cakey.
Form balls about 1 1/2 inches and place on a baking sheet. Flatten the tops with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar, or use your hand. Sprinkle with additional sugars or sprinkles or leave plain. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cool on pan about 1 minute before removing from pan to cool completely.
Products related to this recipe available through Amazon if you can't find them locally:
Watkins Original Vanilla Extract
Morena Pure Cane Sugar
Amazon Basics 3-Piece Baking Sheet Set
