Sugar cookies are a staple of Christmas time for me, but really, anytime is a great time for sugar cookies... or at least that's what my husband thinks!
I have been making sugar cookies for years and have been playing with recipes to make it as close to perfect as I can... I think I've nailed it and most people I know, would agree. I must admit, I do add a secret ingredient that I am not willing to share, which helps take them up a notch, however, the recipe below is a close second and you won't be disappointed. ENJOY!
SaraAnn's Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 tsp baking powder
2 1/2 cups flour
Directions
Cream together butter and powdered sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add eggs, vanilla and almond extract and beat until combined. Add baking powder and flour, slowly to the mixer on low.
Beat until the dough comes together and pulls away from the bowl, but don't overmix.
On parchment paper, sprinkled with powdered sugar, scoop out the dough and form a disc. Sprinkle with more powdered sugar and top with another piece of parchment paper. Roll out til dough is about 1/4 in thick, transfer entire thing to a cookie sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour.
Remove from fridge, slide parchment and dough onto counter and remove top layer of parchment. Cut cookies out and transfer to a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes until the edges are golden.
** if your dough seems dry, you can add a splash of milk and mix until desired consistency
Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, room temp
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. peppermint flavoring
heavy cream
In the of a mixer, beat cream cheese. Add in 2 cups powdered sugar, vanilla, peppermint flavoring and a splash of heavy cream. Mix until incorporated. Add in the remaining 2 cups powdered sugar and another splash of heavy cream. Mix on medium speed until desired consistency, adding splashes of heavy cream as needed to thin out or more powdered sugar if you got too thin. Frost your cookies and enjoy!
**feel free to omit the peppermint flavoring for a regular cream cheese frosting!
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