Thursday, December 24, 2009

Michelle's Sugar Cookies

You may think you don't have time to make sugar cookies today. But you just might if you use my sister Michelle's recipe. And incidentally, my mom might have thought that she didn't have time for another baby just ten and a half months after she had my sister Michelle, on Christmas Eve forty years ago. But here I am. My mom says I had to follow Michelle in birth so closely, because we couldn't bear to be apart. We were even in the same grade in school, and went away to college together as roommates. If only it weren't for marriage and babies, we'd probably still be joined together at the hip. I wish I were there today to help her celebrate. All the same, Happy Birthday to my sister Michelle, the Christmas Eve baby.
I was always especially jealous of Michelle at Christmas time because she came home from the hospital inside of a giant stocking that she got to reuse every year. I came home from the hospital in a station wagon. There are other reasons to be jealous of Michelle,too-like the fact that she is beautiful, kind, and wise. And also her sugar cookie recipe. Like her, it's perfect and never ever gets in trouble. It's buttery, sturdy, yet tender; the cookie, not Michelle. But best of all, her cookie requires no chill time. So, take a little time to make up a suprise for Santa tonight. The little people in your life will appreciate the cookies, but probably the gift of your time even more.
And since we're talking about time, ironically, we had to rush our stockings off making these cookies yesterday, since Sailor had a violin performance with a chamber orchestra. I think she had a little powdered sugar on her nose when we left the house. Merry Christmas to all of my dear readers. May your coming days be merry and bright.
Michelle's Sugar Cookies
Estimated Cost: $5.00
Tips: Roll out your cookies in a combination of flour and powdered sugar.
1 cup butter
1 and 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 and 3/4 cups flour
Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Sprinkle powder and salt evenly over dough. Add one cup of flour. Mix well. Add flour one cup at a time until blended. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut shapes and bake at 350 for 6-10 minutes, depending on size of cookies. Let cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes; remove to rack.
Frosting:
4 tablespoons butter
3 cups powdered sugar
milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine butter and sugar until fluffy and spreadable, adding milk as needed. Stir in vanilla and tint frosting as desired with food coloring.
Next Up:
Dessert for Your New Year's Parties
P.S. I just finished my December goal of running 100 miles before Christmas this morning. My feet hurt, but my jeans still fit.

16 comments:

Prudy said...

I did........? I had no idea....no idea at all.Any way,"Merry Christmas and to all a good night"! sailor =D

Fantastic Mr. R said...

Thanks for a wonderful year of recipes. Have a Merry Christmas!

Julie Harward said...

AND YOU'RE A RUNNER TOO?! GOOD THING WITH ALL THESE GOODIES YOU ARE ALWAYS MAKING! SWEET ABOUT YOU AND YOUR SIS TOO...HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!...come say hi :D

Adrienne said...

Merry Christmas! Family, good food, and good music are so fun this time of year.

Seth and Julie said...

Happy Birthday Michelle! I always thought it was so cool that you two were so close in age that you were in the same grade, and you were so different but still the best of friends. I love sisters!

And Merry Christmas to all of you!

gigi said...

Merry Christmas to you and your's!
Many Blessings.

Marie Rayner said...

Beautiful cookies Erin. Thanks so much for all that you have shared with us in this past year!! A very Merry Christmas to you and the family! May it be blessed and filled with lots of love and hugs! xxoo

luckygirlgifts said...

Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family too.
I hope you are having a fabulous and relaxing holiday weekend.
Cari b.

Anonymous said...

Hi Erin.. what fun was had.. Happy Christmas and Happy Holidays.. Everything looks fabulous and fantastic Erin! Hope you new year is just as fab!

ahmd said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Gracie said...

You crack me up. And I brought your caramel popcorn recipe to work and couldn't get any of my pharmacy technicians to do any work all day because they were too busy stuffing their faces (it is seriously that good).
http://complicatedday.blogspot.com/

Michal said...

i knew i should have taken the time to read some blogs on christmas eve! i never got my sugar cookies rolled out this year. i finally gave up last night and put the dough in the freezer for valentine's day. i want them, and yet we have so many other sweets around right now, i can't imagine fitting them in.

good job hitting your goal! as always, you are so impressive and humble at once. love and kisses to all!

Adrienne said...

So I finally made these for Valentine's day and oh my gosh they are the greatest. Thanks for posting them. Super easy to work with, and the cookies are tender and flavorful without being too sweet. I made them for kids to frost at a valentine's party and they stood up to all kinds of pudgy fingers decorating them, so they pass that test too. Thanks again!

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