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Sugar Cookies

Photo Credit
Africa Studio/Shutterstock
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
about 5 dozen
Category
Cookies and Bars
Course
Desserts
Credit
Isabel Drobney Willington Baptist Church, Willington, Connec
Sources
Yankee Magazine Church Suppers and Potluck Dinners Cookbook

This sugar cookie recipe is for those who enjoy a soft, round, and puffy cookie texture. It has excellent flavor, subtly spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves—and is delicious alone without frosting. Kids love rolling the balls in the sugar and squishing them down on the baking sheet.

Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, at room temperature
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
4 eggs
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest or 1 teaspoon lemon juice
4 cups all-purpose white flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
White sugar, for rolling cookies

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Add the milk, eggs, and lemon zest or juice and beat until smooth.
  2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices and add to the creamed mixture, beating well. Chill thoroughly.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two baking sheets.
  4. Form the chilled dough into balls about the size of walnuts. Roll the balls in the sugar. Place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Flatten slightly with a fork.
  5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

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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Comments

<span>Nancy</span> Sat, 12/06/2025 - 10:06
I'm curious if the dough balls can be frozen to cook later?
<span>The Editors</span> Mon, 12/08/2025 - 08:39
Great question! Yes, these dough balls are great for freezing.