Holiday Cookies: Sugar Cookies

One of my favorite parts of Christmas when I was growing up was when my mom would make a batch of sugar cookies and my sister and I would decorate them.   They never were the prettiest, but they were done by us and that made them special — plus they always tasted good (and that’s what counts, right!).

Sugar cookies are still a fun part of the holidays.  And they also make the perfect decorating project for little helpers while hosting a Holiday Cookie Baking Party!

Sugar Cookies — from Martha Stewart

• 2 cups all purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup, 1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Colored sugar sprinkles for decorating

Combine flour, baking powder and salt and whisk together in a large bowl and set aside.

With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.

With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; beat until combined.

Divide dough in half, flatten into disks. Wrap each and freeze until firm, at least 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Remove one dough disk and let stand 5-10 minutes.  Roll out 1/8 inch thick, dusting dough with flour as needed.

Cut shapes with cookie cutters. Using a spatula, transfer to prepared baking sheets. If dough gets soft, chill 10 minutes. Re-roll scraps; cut shapes. Repeat with remaining dough.

Sprinkle cookies with colored sugar.

Bake, rotating halfway through, until edges are golden, 10 to 18 minutes (depending on size). Cool completely on wire racks.