Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are one of the most basic cookies but one of the easiest to mess up.  Cookies in general are somewhat difficult, as there are so many different ways to eat them. Do you want chewy or crispy? Large or bite size?  With nuts or without nuts?

Sugar cookies are a little different because there is normally just one way to make them.  They need to be hard enough to use cookie cutters but not to much that they come out dry and brittle.  I will be attending a baby shower this weekend and I will bringing button shaped sugar cookies for the theme "cute as a button."  I will be sure to post pictures when they are completed.  I made the dough tonight so it can harden in the fridge overnight.  Tomorrow I will bake and Saturday I will decorate.  Here is the recipe I used tonight.

Sugar Cookies
Depending on size of cookie cutter this recipe can make up to 3 dozen cookies

3 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks of butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon or 1 teaspoon lemon zest (depends on what you like)

Mix the flour and salt together in a medium size bowl
Cream the butter and sugar in your mixer for about 4 minutes
Add vanilla, egg and lemon zest to mixer
When all ingredients are mixed, add flour to mixture
Mix until ingredients are just combined

Divide dough into two disks, wrap with saran wrap.  Make sure to press out air bubbles.  Place in fridge to harden at least 30 minutes or overnight.  Dough can also be frozen for up to one month.

I add lemon zest because I think it gives the cookies a nice zing, but you don't have to add the zest.  If not using zest add another 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.  You can also add another flavor you like, maybe orange or grapefruit zest.

More tomorrow on rolling, cutting and baking!