our favorite sugar cookies

I put this centerpiece together for Eliza's post-blessing brunch, guests got to take a flower home. It turned out so cute!

Cut Out Sugar Cookies

recipe from Mormon Country Cooking- Winifred C Jardine

375 degrees

2/3 cup shortening

1¾ cup sugar

1 egg

½ tsp vanilla

½ tsp almond extract

¾ cups flour, stirred and measured

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

4 tsp milk

Thoroughly cream shortening and sugar. Add egg. Beat until mixture is light and fluffy. Add vanilla and almond; mix thoroughly. Add sifted dry ingredients together with milk. Chill one hour for ease in handling. Roll out dough to 1/8 thickness. Cut into desired shapes,. Arrange on greased cookie sheets. Bake 6-8 minutes OR until lightly brown on back side.

Royal Icing

recipe from joyofbaking.com

2 egg whites

2 tsp lemon juice

3 cups powdered sugar

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the egg whites with the lemon juice. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined and smooth. The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing hardens when exposed to air. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.

Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookie

Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookie

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup buttermilk (or you can add 1 Tbs. lemon juice to 1 cup milk, let stand, then use 3/4 c. sour milk for recipe)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cream together the shortening and the sugar. Stir in the egg, buttermilk and vanilla.
Combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture and stir to combine. Chill dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Drop mixture by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Bake at 400 degrees F for 7 to 9 minutes or until set and golden brown around the edges. Cool on cooling rack.

Very Creamy Frosting

3 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine four and milk in medium sauce pan; stir over low heat until thickened. Cool. Beat butter in large bowl until creamy. Add powdered sugar; beat until fluffy. Blend in vanilla. Add flour mixture; beat until thick and smooth.