National Sugar Cookie Day has to be one of my favorite days. I have been making these cookies for over 40 years. I made them for my children when they were growing up and now make them for my grandchildren. I try to make them for each occasion during the year and on their birthdays
Course Cookies
Cuisine American
Keyword Sugar Cookies, Decorated Sugar Cookies, National Sugar Cookie Day
Prep Time 3 hourshours
Cook Time 45 minutesminutes
Total Time 3 hourshours45 minutesminutes
Servings 48
Calories 250kcal
Author pamelashank2015
Ingredients
3cupsall purpose flour
2teaspoonsbaking powder
1teaspoonsalt
1cupbuttersoftened (Land O Lakes Unsalted Butter)
1 1/2cupssugar
2large eggs
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
1cupflour for dusting
2lbbag confectioner sugar
2/3cupsolid shorteningCrisco
water
food coloring paste
sprinkles/other decorative candies
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. ( I use baking stones)
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In another large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on a medium speed ,beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and combine well. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
Gradually add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, beating only enough to combine.
Shape dough into a ball, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Place the remaining flour into a small bowl. Sprinkle some of the flour onto a flat work surface. Scoop out about 3 tablespoons of the dough and place on surface. Dip cookie cutters and small rolling pin into the bowl of flour. Roll dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out the cookies and place on baking sheets. Continue to cut out all of the cookies, re-rolling the pieces of dough.
Bake about 10 minutes or until cookies are light golden brown around the edges. Remove baking sheets from oven and allow to set 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack.
To make the frosting, place the confectioner sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the shortening and 1/4 cup water. Slowly beat together on the lowest speed of mixer. Add additional water a tablespoon or 2 at a time and increase speed on the mixer. Beat until smooth.
Divide icing into separate small bowls. Using a toothpick or end of a plastic butter knife, add the coloring paste to each bowl. If icing is too thick, add drops of water and stir to desired consistency; if too thin, add small amounts of confectioner sugar.
Decorate cookies as desired.
May place icing in pastry bags also to decorate cookies.
Makes about 4 dozen
Notes
NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER. Calorie count provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.