Classic Sugar Cookies

My little boy turned 2 yesterday. It's hard to believe how quickly the time flies! So a recipe of sugar cookies just waiting to be turned into "Thomas" cookies seemed like the perfect way to celebrate. (If you have a toddler boy, you know exactly which "Thomas" I am referring to.) This recipe has been around my family since I was born and who knows where it actually came from originally. But it is definitely a good one. I've updated it a bit (crisco! bleh!) so I hope you enjoy this tasty cookie. It can be cut into any shape for every holiday of the year. Valentines day, Halloween, Easter, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day - This recipe gets a lot of use around my house!

You probably already have everything you need for this recipe which makes it even more convenient. Just raid your pantry and you should be good to go. 

Start by beating the softened butter. (Yes, it is important for it to be softened to room temperature - even when I try to use the microwave, the cookies never turn out as well. Just pull it out of the fridge when you get up, and take the time to let it soften while you shower, have that cup of coffee, and maybe run some morning errands) 

Anyways, dump in the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla and beat well. Then add the egg and beat until light and fluffy. Blend in the milk.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt and baking powder. 

Then slowly add in to the buttery mixture beating well. 

Dump that delicious dough onto some plastic wrap and wrap it up tight! Then pop it in the fridge and let it chill for at least 1 hour. (Another one of those annoying rules like the softened butter that is oh, so important - without chilling it, your cookies will "splat" while baking and lose their great cookie cutter shape.)

And wait.......patiently........

Ok good! Get the oven preheated to 375 degrees. Now the fun part. Use just half of the dough at a time and keep the other half in the fridge so it stays cold. Roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/4" thick.

Choose your cookie cutter and press away! Lay them out on parchment paper, or lightly spray a pan with non-stick spray. 

Pop them in the oven for just 6-8 minutes. They will cook quickly so don't go far! They are done when the edges barely begin to brown. 

Let them cool completely before frosting them. Then whip up your favorite recipe of Royal Icing and do crazy. Happy decorating!

Sugar Cookies

(24 cookies)

• ⅔ cup Softened Butter
• ¾ cup White Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 Egg
• 4 tsp Milk
• 2 cups Flour
• 1 ½ tsp Baking Powder
• ¼ tsp Salt

1. Beat together the softened butter, sugar and vanilla. Add the egg and beat until light and fluffy. Add the milk and blend it in.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. Add the dry ingredients in with the buttery mixture and blend together.

4. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour.

5. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4" thick and cut with your favorite cookie cutter. Bake at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Cool before frosting.