Every December my children and I make sugar cookies together from scratch as part of our holiday traditions. We choose a weekend near Christmas to incorporate this tradition into our advent calendar activities. This recipe has been passed down from their great-grandparents and it is such a fun way to get into the holiday spirit together (not to mention these are the BEST tasting sugar cookies!). This was our first year making our own decorative icing, which was just as fun. As always, Elle and Sawyer's favorite part was cutting out our festive shapes and adorning their creations with holiday colors and sprinkles. We each enjoyed a Sunday evening cup of hot cocoa while eating our freshly baked treats. Elle and Sawyer have already chosen a few extra special cookies to set aside for Santa's big night. Happy holidays!
Cookie Recipe with Meredith Zimmermann
Recipe for sugar cookies:
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond flavoring
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
Oven temp 375 degrees for 7/8 minutes
Mix sugar and softened butter. Add egg, vanilla and almond extract. Mix well. Measure flour and stir separately with soda and cream of tartar. Blend in slowly with sugar mixture. When completely mixed, divide the dough in half and chill 2-3 hours.
Roll out on a floured surface about 1/4 in thick. Cut out with cookie cutters. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Don't over bake.
Frosting Recipe:
1 cup confectioners sugar
2 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Assorted food coloring
In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup. Divide into separate bowls and add food colorings to each to desired intensity.