Judys Favorite Sugar Cookies Recipes

SOFT CUT-OUT SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• In a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using) and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl and beat again as needed to combine.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Dough will be relatively soft. If the dough seems too soft and sticky for rolling, add 1 more Tablespoon of flour.
• Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Place each portion onto a piece of lightly floured parchment paper or a lightly floured silicone baking mat. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use more flour if the dough seems too sticky. The rolled-out dough can be any shape, as long as it is evenly 1/4-inch thick.
• Lightly dust one of the rolled-out doughs with flour. Place a piece of parchment on top. (This prevents sticking.) Place the 2nd rolled-out dough on top. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours and up to 2 days.
• Once chilled, preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Carefully remove the top dough piece from the refrigerator. If it's sticking to the bottom, run your hand under it to help remove it- see me do this in the video above. Using a cookie cutter, cut the dough into shapes. Re-roll the remaining dough and continue cutting until all is used. Repeat with 2nd piece of dough. (Note: It doesn't seem like a lot of dough, but you get a lot of cookies from the dough scraps you re-roll.)
• Arrange cookies on baking sheets 3 inches apart. Bake for 11-12 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. If your oven has hot spots, rotate the baking sheet halfway through bake time. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
• Decorate the cooled cookies with royal icing or easy glaze icing. Feel free to tint either icing with gel food coloring. See post above for recommended decorating tools. No need to cover the decorated cookies as you wait for the icing to set. If it's helpful, decorate the cookies directly on a baking sheet so you can stick the entire baking sheet in the refrigerator to help speed up the icing setting.
• Enjoy cookies right away or wait until the icing sets to serve them. Once the icing has set, these cookies are great for gifting or for sending. Plain or decorated cookies stay soft for about 5 days when covered tightly at room temperature. For longer storage, cover and refrigerate for up to 10 days.

JUDY'S FAVORITE SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream together butter and sugar.
• Blend in vanilla and eggs.
• Add in flour, baking powder, and salt. I usually add in the first three cups of flour, with the baking powder and salt, then I slowly work in the other cups. It requires a lot of muscle near the end.
• Chill dough.
• On a floured surface, roll and cut cookies. For consistency in baking (and not burning) we use wooden rulers on either edge of the dough to make the dough all one thickness. The rulers keep the rolling pin at their level.
• Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Cookies will be golden along the edges, and still very soft in the middle when removed from the oven.
• Let cool on a cooling rack.

SUGAR COOKIES FROM JUDY

Steps:

• 1. Blend Crisco, sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
• 2. Roll 1/8" thick on lightly floured board and cut with cookie cutter.
• 3. Bake in moderate oven, 375 degrees, on ungreased baking sheets for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
• 4. Remove from pan immediately and sprinkle with sugar, if desired. Makes 6 to 7 dozen cookies.
• 5. VARIATIONS: Orange or Lemon Cookies - Use 1 T orange or lemon juice in place of milk and stir in 1 T orange or lemon rind. Spice Sugar Cookies - Add 1/2 tsp nutmeg and 1/4 tsp cinnamon with dry ingredients. Crunchy Cookies - Stir 1 cup very finely chopped nuts into cookie dough.