Sugar Cookies

I love a good sugar cookie, but usually only make them once a year around Valentine's Day.  Alex isn't a huge fan of them, and I get tired of them quickly. 

These sugar cookies were served to me while working at BYU Broadcasting as a student.  I was an Accounting Assistant, and the interim boss had made these for Valentine's Day.  In my opinion, these are the best sugar cookies I've ever had.

This recipe calls for shortening, but I've tried to cut out artificial fat from my diet, so I made it with butter.  Turned out great!
 

 

Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Recipe given to me by Angela Hubbard, I have no idea where it originated from

Ingredients*:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup shortening or butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• 6 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• Butter Cream Icing (see recipe below)

Directions:

1. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper, set aside. 
2. In large mixing bowl, cream sugar, butter, and eggs.  Add milk, vanilla, and lemon extract; mix with a wooden spoon until well blended.  
3. Add salt, baking soda, and baking powder - mix well.  Slowly add flour.  
4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. 
5. Roll out 1/8 inch thick; cut into desired shapes. 
6. Bake at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes, until edges are a light brown. 
7. Frost with butter cream frosting. Makes 6-8 dozen.

 * This recipe makes A TON of cookies. If you don't want to be rolling and cutting out shapes forever, I recommend halving it.  


Butter Cream Icing
Recipe given to me by Angela Hubbard, I have no idea where it originated from

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• Low-fat milk, if needed

Directions:

1. Beat butter until fluffy.  Add cream, milk, vanilla, salt, and 1 cup powdered sugar.  
2. Slowly add remaining powdered sugar, and beat until smooth.  
3. Add low-fat milk by the teaspoon, if needed, until frosting is the consistency you want.