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.