Sugar cookies

This is my friend Sheela. We went to nursing school together, and more importantly she is the owner of the sugar cookie recipe that I made this Christmas season.


Here is a picture of the cookies...in case you forgot, or just like looking at pictures of cookies.


She has given me permission to share this heavenly recipe, so here it is. She says that she and her daughter Annie make these each season (with season appropriate shapes of course) and take them to daddy's work. How darling is that?

The Best Sugar Cookies Ever
(Feel free to double this if you like thicker cookies...I do)

3 sticks salted butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 ts. vanilla extract
4 1/2 c flour (reserve the last 1/2 cup...or if you are doubling reserve the last cup of flour for dusting your counter top and the dough so it doesn't stick to your counter or rolling pin)
1/2 ts salt

1. Beat sugar and butter. Add egg & vanilla. Beat in flour and salt in 2 portions. Shape the dough in discs no larger than a salad plate. Wrap in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least an hour. This dough keeps well in the fridge if you don't want to bake right then.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

3. Roll out dough to desired thickness. With this recipe what you see is what you get. Cut out your shapes, then roll it out again, cut your shapes.... you get the idea. This is great dough to work with, very forgiving.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Place on a cooling rack or some wax paper set out on the counter.

Best Ever Sugar Cookie Icing

1/3 cup butter
1/2 ts. vanilla
3 Tb milk
3 cup powdered sugar

Blend ingredients together. Then frost cookies. This frosting works well with food coloring, and sprinkles adhere well...both crucial characteristics needed for cookie frosting of course. =)

Thanks for the recipe Sheela and Annie!