Basic Holiday Sugar Cookies

Makes about three dozen … recipe can be doubled.

Preparation time:  30 minutes
Chilling time:  30 minutes
Baking time:   8 minutes

Ingredients:

2/3 cup softened butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
4 teaspoons milk
1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
2 cups unbleached flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla. Blend in flour, baking powder, and salt until well mixed. Divide dough in half and chill 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease two large cookie sheets. On a lightly floured surface, working with half of the dough at a time, roll to about 1/8 inch thick. With floured cookie cutters, cut dough into shapes. Carefully place cookies ½-inch apart on cookie sheets. Re-roll trimmings and continue to cut shapes. Bake 8 minutes, or until very lightly browned. Transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.

Now comes the best part. Decorate! You can buy frosting or use the recipe on the side of any box of confectioner’s sugar. You can use candy, sprinkles, raisins or anything you like.

What a fun and tasty way to spend some time together with a young person! And by the way, there are plenty of young people looking for Bigs to do activities like this with them, and help them feel better about themselves. Do you have the time … or the money to share … or a friend who may want to help?

Volunteer now »
Donate now »
Tell a friend »