Making and decorating sugar cookies

Making and decorating sugar cookies… I’m not going to gloss over the truth- sugar cookies take a long time.  But ONLY because there are so many steps. So, plan ahead (a few days) and you’ll have a creative, enjoyable experience. Since the dough needs to be refrigerated for at least an hour or up to 3 days, make it ahead of time. (in the morning or the day before)  Even roll out and bake the cookies as a separate event (in the morning or the day before).  So finally decorating feels less like a marathon and more like a stage race.

Sugar Cookies
3/4 cup butter (I hate margarine so I’m not going to even say it here)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

In large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and 1 cup sugar until creamy; beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, blending thoroughly, to form a soft dough. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm (at least one hour) or for up to 3 days.
On a floured board, roll out dough, a portion at a time, to a thickness of 1/8 inch (keep remaining portions refrigerated). Cut out with cookie cutters and place slightly apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer to racks and let cool completely before handling. Store airtight. Makes about 4 dozen.

Creamy Vanilla Frosting
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
about 4 tablespoons of milk

Mix powdered sugar and butter. Stir in vanilla and milk. Beat until smooth and spreading consistency.
*I made the frosting runny (for stiffer frosting add only 2 tablespoons of milk) and put it into decorating bags. For the smooth-edge look when decorating the cookies draw the perimeter of the area you want to fill in with the frosting bag (small round tip) and then fill in the area.
**For the glasses I used pre-made frosting from the store, it comes in a small tube and is meant for writing.

I like baking but I can’t (I mean shouldn’t) eat all of the finished products. This is true in just about every case- not just desserts, so giving the treats away is the ideal situation. My family and I get our fill of treat making and get to share the love. I love getting handmade treats too, the gift of someone’s time is much appreciated (that may or may not be a hint, wink wink).

This year we made this process a ‘marathon event’. As it was getting late I told my daughter to stop helping and get ready for bed. Instead of complaining it was time for bed she thanked me. Live and learn!

We couldn’t help giving a ‘smart cookie’ to C’s 3rd grade teacher. Along with a tiny plant in a makeshift felt pot also made with fabric scraps.
Note:  ‘fabric scraps junk bow’ tying it all together.

So glad we all survived the end of the world, now let’s hope we can survive Christmas!