Perfect Sugar Cookies

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It took years to perfect this recipe, but it is now officially impeccable. Not too sweet, perfectly crisp and buttery, these delicious sugar cookies will blow any of those packaged doughs out of the water. Simple and tasty, make your own homemade cookies this holiday season…it only comes once a year.

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • cookie decorations or icing *optional

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, blend together butter and sugar until pale yellow and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. With the mixer running, slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture and beat until just combined. Split dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap and form into flattened discs. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Once dough has chilled, preheat oven to 375 degrees.

On a floured surface, gently roll out dough until 1/4″ thick. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters, biscuit cutters, or a juice glass, making sure to dip them into flour. Keep dough floured to prevent sticking. Place shapes onto an ungreased cookie sheet and top with cookie decorations, colored sugars, sprinkles, or keep plain.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden. Cool cookies on cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling rack and cool completely. Frost plain cookies if desired.

Makes about 56 cookies

Jenn Knapp

About Jenn Knapp

Jenn is a self-taught home cook who's passionate about using local and seasonal ingredients. She's a stay-at-home mother of two constantly looking for innovative ways to encourage her kids to be healthy and adventurous eaters.