Simple "from scratch" Sugar Cookies

The Christmas season is not the same without sugar cookies!!! Who doesn’t love those delicious treats decorated in fun and festive holiday designs? I know I started a tradition this year making and decorating homemade sugar cookies with the kids. It’s so easy and fun, and I want to share my recipe with you. Enjoy!!!!

Prep time: 30 mins Cook time: 10 mins (8 mins if your oven gets really hot like mine)

Ingredients: 3 cups of All Purpose flour 1/2 tsp of Baking Powder 1/4 tsp of Salt 3/4 cup of Unsalted Butter at room temperature 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 cup of Sugar 2 tsp of Ground Cinnamon 2 Eggs 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract (or 2 tsp Almond Extract, which I prefer)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) In a large bowl, blend together the butter and sugar. Then, add the eggs and vanilla (or almond extract), and continue to whisk for about 1 minute.

2) Add the flour, salt, and baking powder, and mix it all in until its all combined. Scrape your dough out of the bowl onto a piece of plastic wrap Wrap tightly and refrigerate the dough for about an hour.

3) Take the dough out of the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

4) Roll out your dough on a floured surface to about 1/3 to 1/4 in. thick. Cut out any design you like with your cookie cutter(s) and place them a couple inches apart on your lined baking sheet.

5) Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges. Once done baking, allow them to cool completely.

Now, while most folks use royal icing (which I will include an easy recipe for), I decorate my cookies with simple candy melts. That’s just my preference, but here’s an easy royal icing recipe for those who prefer to use it.

Royal Icing Ingredients:

4 cups of Confectioner Sugar 3 Egg whites

ROYAL ICING INSTRUCTIONS:

1) In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the egg whites and beat on medium speed until frothy. Decrease the speed to low and slowly add the sugar. Increase the speed to medium high and whisk for about 2 to 3 minutes or until he icing is smooth, shiny, and thick.

**At this point, you can use any kind of food coloring to color your icing.**

2) Pour into a piping bag and decorate your cookies.

IT’S THAT EASY! TRY IT & ENJOY!!!