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Homemade Sugar Cookies

Photo Credit
Sam Jones/Quinn Brein
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
Makes about 5 dozen.
Category
Cookies and Bars
Course
Desserts
Preparation Method
Bake
Sources
Yankee Magazine's Great New England Recipes

These lovely sugar cookies are golden in color, crisp, and light. They freeze well, unfrosted. Decorate with frosting or, if desired, with colored sugars, sprinkles, etc.

Ingredients
3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Buttercream or Ornamental Frosting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease baking sheets or line with parchment paper.

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.

In another bowl, cream butter with sugar until fluffy and light. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture to make a firm dough. Chill thoroughly.

Roll out a quarter of the dough at a time to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured board or wax paper. Cut into desired shapes. Place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Re-roll and cut trimmings.

Bake for 10 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden. Remove to cool on racks. Spread with Buttercream or Ornamental Frosting (see below for instructions).

Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
green or red food coloring

Instructions

Cream butter and sugar together until light. Add milk and vanilla to get the proper consistency. (It should be stiff enough to hold its shape when pressed from a decorating bag.) Tint with coloring as desired.

Makes about 2 cups.

Ornamental Frosting

Ingredients
2 egg whites
2-1/2 to 3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

Instructions

Beat all ingredients together until thick and smooth.

Will frost about 5 dozen cookies.

About The Author
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...
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