Christmas Sugar Cookies

Baking Christmas sugar cookies has been a tradition in my family since my girls were old enough to stand on a chair or stool and roll out cookie dough.  It is a VERY messy tradition... yet one that brings so much pleasure, it is worth the mess and clean up afterwards.

I will include my sugar cookie recipe at the end of this blog... this is the recipe I have been using since 1986... it continues to be the easiest dough to work with, and the flavor of these cookies are absolutely delicious!!!  The baked cookie is very tender, and yet also crisp.  The sugar cookie is one of those foods that have fans for both types of the cookie... some like them soft and chewy and decorated with icing, some (like me and my family) like them thin, crisp and decorated with colored sugars... either way... my family just has to have sugar cookies as part of our Christmas morning tradition... we eat them for breakfast along with chex mix!  Weird... but OH SOOOOO GOOD!!!

I have cookie cutters from when I was a child, some I have found in antique stores, and others that are newer versions.  The old plastic ones I use have lots of details carved inside the cutter... my newer ones are just outline shapes of bells, trees, stockings, and such.  I really like the intricate designs of the old cutters, but they are a bit finicky when trying to get the cut out dough onto the baking sheet... they are very delicate and take lots of care getting them cut out correctly and transfered over to the baking sheet.  My newer ones that are much easier to use, make the task go quite quickly.  However.... the nostalgic-ness of the older ones, and the tradition of just taking an entire day to bake cookies, always win out over the newer cookie cutters... but in the end... my cookie tin contains a mixture of old and new cookie cutter shapes.  Making these sugar cookies is an 'event' and it's ok if some cookies take longer to cut out than others... the eating of them, and the deliciousness of them is all the same on the tongue, and in the tummy!

I keep LOTS of colored sugars on hand for any occasion when I make these sugar cookies, these cookies are good for all holidays and occasions.  I make lips and hearts for Valentines, Shamrocks for St. Patty's Day, and Egg shapes for Easter.  Even though these sugar cookies are DELISH for all occasions, they always remind me most of Christmas... and I never skimp on sprinkling of the sugar on these cookies... my lips always are the color of whatever sugar is on the cookie I am eating... which of course makes it hard to sneak a cookie without getting caught!  :  )

When we visit various relatives houses over the Christmas Holiday, there are always lots and lots of cookies of all varieties to enjoy.  My Mom makes wedding cookies, chocolate peanut butter balls, and majestic's... just to name a few.  Chocolate chip cookies are usually among the mix at most houses, as well as the sugar cookies.  My sister-in-law (Kari) is quite the baker and will arrive at the family gathering with a platter of cookies with at least a dozen variety of cookies.... each one more delish than the next!  Kari's sugar cookies are the softer kind with the icing... but... the detail she puts into decorating her cookies with that icing is amazing!  She must bake for weeks to accomplish such a plethora of goodies!  My other sis-in-law (Linda) makes these amazing sesame cookies native to Georgia, and always brings tins of wonderful decadent fudge too.  While I enjoy each and every type of cookie served at each and every house we visit... the simple un-prententious sugar cookie remains my all time favorite.

Tis the season for so many wonderful family traditions... from caroling to cookie baking, and everything in between... may you experience many joys with your loved ones as we all continue to carry our traditions forward to the new generations following behind us.  Here now is my all time favorite sugar cookie recipe.  Put on your aprons, bring out the sugar sprinkles, and start making a wonderful messy memory with someone you love.


Vickie's Sugar Cookies 


3/4 cup - shortening - (part butter)... I use 1/2 cup crisco and 1/4 cup real butter (NOT margarine)... but        
                                                       you can reverse it and use 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup crisco... it's a
                                                       personal preference and both work beautifully.

1 cup - sugar
2 - eggs
1 tsp - vanilla (use real vanilla extract NOT imitation!!!  this is VERY important!  the better your vanilla,
                       the better your cookies)
2 1/2 cups - all purpose flour -measure flour by the dipping/leveling method.. sifting not necessary
1 tsp - baking powder
1 tsp - salt

Cream shortening and sugar til smooth and creamy... add eggs, one at a time, making sure each egg is completely incorporated before adding the next.  Stir the flour, baking powder, and salt together and add to creamy mixture.  Shape dough in to disk, cover in plastic wrap, put in refrigerator to chill at least one hour.

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Roll dough out to 1/8" thick on a lightly floured surface.  Try to incorporate as little flour into dough as possible.  Cut dough out with cookie cutters of your choice.  Place cut out cookies onto an un-greased baking sheet (I prefer the baking stones... but any baking sheet will do just fine).  Bake 6-8 minutes or until cookies are a "delicate" golden color.  Makes about 4 dozen cookies using 3" cookie cutters.  Quantity will vary with different size cookie cutters.

Remove cookies from baking sheet and let cool on a wire rack... then... enjoy eating these delish cookies and wear your colored sugar lips proudly!!  :  )