December 15, 2014

THE SUGAR COOKIES....SIMPLE, SWEET, COMFORTING AND FAMILIAR



I can probably bet that all of you have a favorite sugar cookie recipe! You bring out this time treasured family favorite every year in December, to bake up a batch for all the cookie lovers in your home. I have one too! Miss Mimi, who lived next door to us in Jackson and was the organist at our wedding, presented me with her sugar cookie recipe, when we married. What a wonderful gift for a new bride, I thought! Well, needless to say, I have baked her recipe every single year, for the last 42 years!


Now, when the calender turned to 2014, I wanted to try to improve old family favorites.....and I am so glad I did. I have improved on old southern favorites such as grits, pimento cheese, hoe cakes, corn pudding, strawberry pie and homemade biscuits. When I was searching for a really good sugar cookie, I came across this particular one from my treasured collection of vintage recipes




So, after reading all the hundreds of reviews, I decided to give it a try. Many stated they had found THE recipe they had been searching for. I loved the fact that you did not have to roll them out, as you could just roll them into balls, flatten them, bake and decorate. However, the recipe stated you could chill the dough, then cut into shapes if you so desired.  I was intrigued that a bit of cream cheese was added, which would make them soft in the middle and a bit crispy on the edges. Viola! Here we go! Now, the true test of a good recipe is the darling's taste test! He came home, and said, :Hey! You made cookies!!! I held my breath as he took his first bite..."Mmmmm. these are good!" Success! Kisses darling's!

Oh, the magic of Christmas and children......


Luke and Caden..
Love the reindeer antlers Luke! 

Luke's tree

The family tree



THE SUGAR COOKIES
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups sugar
4 T cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 large egg
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease two baking sheets.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
 In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and cream cheese (if you're using it) until light and fluffy.  Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts, and the egg; scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
 Add the flour mixture, and mix at low to medium speed until the mixture is evenly moistened. Roll cookie batter into balls and roll in sugar.
 Place on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2" between them. Using a flat-bottomed glass, flatten the cookies to about 1/4" thick.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes — 10 minutes for softer cookies, 12 minutes for crunchier. The edges of the cookies will just barely begin to brown.
Remove from the oven and cool on the pan for 5 minutes, before transferring to a rack to finish cooling completely.

Our new Christmas Tree!


I really love this tree. It alternates from white lights to multi-colored lights!
That's the best of both holiday worlds isn't it!



Snowy decided to surprise his little Luke the Duke
 by lighting the way home from Kindergarten

10 comments:

  1. How I love sugar cookies and have my recipe I've used forever but it's always nice to have another take on them. Thank you for the recipe and I'll have to try yours! Your tree is stunning and has so many twinkly lights! Hope your Christmasing is going well.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Hi Miss Shelia! I know what you mean! I think we all have our all time favorite sugar cookie recipe! I like to try new ones just to see the difference. I can say, these lasted beautifully for a week and were gone within five days. Everyone gave this two thumbs up! Hope you have a fun-filled week ahead! I love your visits and sweet comments!!!

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  2. Long ago, I found a recipe for Sugar Cookies, which used sour cream. It made big, big, big old fashioned sugar cookies. :-) Fun and delicious. But I fear that recipe has been lost.

    Lovely and sweet pictures, as always.

    Happy remaining days to Christmas,
    Tessa~

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    1. I hope you enjoy the recipe some time Tessa! It's always fun to bake cookies while listening to Christmas music....thank you so much for stopping by today!

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  3. A delicious post...I will make these today...I'm making your slow cooker spaghetti for Christmas Eve...garlic bread, a big, fresh green salad...these cookies, a cake and a pie..or two...or three...(pie is my fav dessert)..
    Have a blessed and fun week...

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    1. How wonderful BJ! A little tip....be careful not to overbake these cookies if you prefer a softer sugar cookie. About 10 minutes. For a crispier cookie, 12 minutes. I loved that they tasted great after one week. I so hope you enjoy them! My sister made the slow cooker spaghetti this weekend and raved about it! Enjoy your week!!!

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  4. oops, meant to add your tree is beautiful.I love the idea of the lights changing...I may do that next yr.

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  5. I like your tree! Very pretty!

    I love a good sugar cookie. I may have to see if I can modify this one to be on plan for my eating plan.

    Deanna

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  6. Oh this is an intriguing twist on a sugar cookie.

    (Need to explain why I don't comment as often as I read. Whatever the setting either here or with me, the "powers that be" deliver an ominous message that my comment cannot be delivered. They do this for three days. It finally culminates with the message "permanent delivery failure." For some reason, this just wears me out! =D )

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    1. Please do not worry about commenting Vee. I receive those same messages for some reason then I see the comment has been posted? Not sure what that's about! I always love hearing from you and am just happy you find something of interest or inspiration! Many thanks! Merry Christmas!

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I so love receiving your thoughts and comments. I also hope you found something that made you smile.