Monday, February 11, 2008

Sugar Cookie Love


Is there anything more nausalicious, more sickeningly addictive than frosted sugar cookies? I don't think so.

We do cut-out cookies twice a year...at Halloween and Valentines time. And it takes a few months to recover in between. Because the mess makes me just as queasy as eating my required baker's dozen.

Still, I hope the tradition continues.

So, here is some advice for posterity...hopefully all future-cookie-bakers. Here's my secret. Divide the labor over three days.

  1. First day, mix up the cookie dough. Then chill until you're ready to face it again. (The dough can sit in the fridge for up to a week!)
  2. Roll out and cut the cookies on the second day. This is the messiest day...so be sure you've had a good night sleep and a feel-good beverage nearby (nonalcoholic, of course). Save cooled cookies in an airtight container until you are ready for step 3.
  3. Decorate! Go crazy! Do this on a day when you don't have anything planned for dinner, because no one's going to eat much anyway.
  4. Wrap up and deliver to friends and neighbors....if you have leftovers, that is.

After trying multiple sugar cookie recipes...this one is my absolute fave:

Cream 2 sticks soft butter with 2 & 1/2 cups sugar. Beat 3 eggs and add to creamed mixture. Add 1 cup thick sour cream and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Sift in 4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 2 teaspoons cream of tartar. Sprinkle in a pinch of nutmeg. Turn out onto a floured countertop and knead in another 1/2 cup to 1 cup of flour. Roll into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. Chill overnight. Next day, roll out and cut into shapes. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes. Cool, frost and decorate.

Enjoy!

9 comments:

Bridget said...

I just copied and pasted that recipe to myself. Thank you! I am not a huge fan of sugar cookies myself but they do have their time and place as you said. We just bought some heart shaped cookie cutters so I have no excuse this year.

D-dawg said...

THIS IS GREAT ADVICE! I love sugar cookies but hate making them because by the end of the activity I am utterly exhausted. I had never thought to do it over the course of a few days. I am going to try your recipe. Mine always turn out too thin.

Travelin'Oma said...

You are making fabulous memories (along with the giant mess.) They won't remember the flour ground into the carpet, and the frosting on the drapes. They'll remember having fun together with their mom.

Rochelleht said...

Wow, what a good mom you are. I absolutely HATE making sugar cookies. Seriously hate it. I always buy pre-made dough. We usually make ours at Halloween, but opted for the chex mix this year instead. Easier and yummier.

And your mom is so right, but I sure hate the flour ground into the carpet and frosting on the drapes...

Lauren in GA said...

I will be printing this off immediately! Thank you!


However, this is not helping with my diet, MISSY!

Christie said...

Did you know sugar cookie dough is delicious? Course, I think I've mentioned that a time or two on my blog. Note to self: Stop talking about cookie dough.

Anyhoo, love the pics and will be trying the recipe, too. What would Halloween or V-day be without some frosted sugar cookies? Can't even imagine it.

Hollyween said...

I do sugar cookies twice a year too. And at the same times as YOU. Except this year, I'm terrible and I'm bowing out. It would wreck my diet. And I'm the only one that eats them anyway. I like that you space it out. I should do that too because I think making sugar cookies and frosting them is a TON of work!!!!

Caroline C. Bingham said...

I love making sugar cookies! I do all the prep at night, and then let the short people decorate only.

heidiram said...

I want you to know I tried this. And I continue to have an issue with making rolled out cookies. My son is having a great time rolling the sticky goopy dough into my kitchen counters. Is it the humidity that is ruining my dough or is it just me that doesn't know how to bake? The first couple cookies worked out fine. By the time I get to the rest of the rolled out dough and put it on the cookie sheets, it's a big wet goopy mess. I'm even following my sister's advice by not reusing the rolled out dough. I'm coming to your house. I give up!

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