Sugar Cookies

Marianne is not only an a big baker around Christmas, but every holiday she makes her FAMOUS sugar cookies for friends and family.  They are such a hit!  It is ridiculous how delicious they are!  Today we are sharing the recipe with you, and instructions on how she typically decorates them, but check back tomorrow to see another festive way to bake and decorate them!











Yield: About 3 dozen depending on size of cookie cuter

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 large egg

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling)

• 1/4 tsp salt

• Cookie cutters (shapes of your choice)

• 2 tsp meringue powder

• 2 T water

• Sanding sugars (in colors of your choice)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla at medium speed with electric mixer until fluffy
3. Add egg, beating until blended
4. Combine flour and salt: gradually add to butter mixture, beating just until blended
5. Divide dough into two equal portions; flatten each portion into a disk. Cover and chill for 10 minutes
6. Place one dough disk on heavily floured surface, and roll to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter
7. As you cut, reshape and re-roll the dough as necessary
8. Place 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough disk. Note: as dough warms, it will get sticky. Keep dough in the fridge until you need it. If it gets too soft, put it back in the fridge for a few minutes. 
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool on baking sheets for five minutes; transfer to wire racks and let cool completely (about 30 minutes)
10. Whisk together meringue powder and 2 tablespoons water. Brush cookies with mixture or dip cookies in mix. Sprinkle with sanding sugars. If you do not have meringue powder, you can use egg whites.

Tips: Keep dough cold. Also, you may need to prepare additional meringue powder/ water mixture as you decorate. Sanding sugar may also be called "fine" sugar.  Sanding sugars and meringue powder are most likely NOT sold in your grocery store, however you can find them at a specialty craft or food store (we go to our local Sur La Table for supplies).  Also, works best to buy bags of the sugars and spoon over the cookie.  Canisters of sprinkles/sugars do not coat the cookies as well.

Recipe from: Southern Living

What are you baking today?  Mari & Kait