Too many sugar cookies look nice but don't have much to recommend them as a dessert. This recipe makes a delicious cookie, and, another plus, the dough is easy to handle, important for a rolled cookie.
Any holiday is an excuse for making sugar cookies ... if you need an excuse. Older children can make and bake the dough. Nearly any child can decorate them.
Faith Durand's Best Cut-Out
Sugar Cookies
2 to 3 dozen
1 cup
unsalted butter, softened at room temperature for 1 hour
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large
egg, at room temperature
1
teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1
teaspoon orange or lemon zest, optional
1
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups
flour
1. In a large
bowl, cream butter and cream cheese.
2. Beat in
granulated sugar. Beat for several minutes or until light-colored and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg,
vanilla and almond extracts, and, if using, orange or lemon zest.
4. Beat in
baking powder and salt.
5. Gradually
add flour until fully incorporated and soft dough is formed.
6. Divide dough
in half and wrap flattened balls of dough in plastic wrap. To freeze
plastic-wrapped dough, put in freezer bag and freeze up to 1 month. To thaw,
leave in refrigerator overnight and then proceed with recipe. If not freezing
dough, chill at least 1 hour or as long as overnight.
7. Let chilled
dough sit for about 15 minutes at room temperature. Cut cookies out of dough
rolled to 1/8" to 1/4" thick and place on ungreased baking sheets
about 1" apart. Cookies will rise when baked.
8. Bake in
350°F. oven for about 8 minutes, depending on thickness. Let cool for 5 minutes
on the cookie sheet, then remove to wire rack.
9. Cool completely before icing or decorating, and store in
tightly covered container.
NOTE: The dough handles beautifully. The cookies are quite sturdy after baking. They are delicious without the zest.
Sugar Cookie Decorating Ideas
• Ice with a sugar glaze; then sandwich with Nutella between two
cookies.
• Glaze with warmed jelly; then sandwich with another cut-out
cookie on top. (Valentines' Day hearts)
• Drizzle with melted chocolate.
• Ice with royal icing and stick on candy dots for decoration.
•
Use a glaze made from sifted
confectioners' sugar and milk. Paint it on with a pastry brush. It's easier
than spreading a buttercream frosting and will not cause the cookies to get as
soft. These cookies don't need softening.
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