mom's sugar cookies.

ok, so i am aware that Christmas is long gone.

sugar cookies however can be made 365.

HALLELUJAH!

 and a little disclaimer on the name.

they are called "mom's sugar cookies"

and even though it is one of my mom's recipe's,

she didn't create it.

she came upon it in a little cookbook that came with a hand mixer.

that mixer was a wedding present in 1966.

that little cookbook got "lost" a few years back

and to say there was sheer panic going on would be an

understatement. 

we tried to recreate it but to no avail.

thank goodness it was found and all was once again well.

there are now around 30 copies in my house alone.

strategically placed in case of an emergency.

 so here is what i think is the greatest sugar cookie recipe on the earth. 
and btw...i doubled my recipe when i made these,
which is why you see two eggs (karla :) 

what you'll need.

3 1/4 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c softened butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg, unbeaten

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c sour cream.

yes, sour cream...i know it sounds a little outta place,

but trust me, it's necessary :)

sift together flour, soda, and salt.

set aside.

combine butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla in bowl.

whip that around for a couple of minutes.

then add in the sour cream and 1/2 the flour mixture.

blend together.

add in remaining flour and stir it by hand.

and when i say "by hand" i mean it.

i put on gloves cause i can't stand not to, and get in there

and squish and squash it up.

if you don't you will clog up your mixer and it will not like you

any more....trust me.

now, divide your dough in 1/2 and kneed it around to form a ball

and roll it out on a floured surface.

pick out some cute cookie cutters.

preferably ones that co inside  with an upcoming holiday or event.

roll out the dough and cut away.

the thicker the dough the softer the cookies.

i usually like mine 1/4 thick.

keep your cutters, pants, & shoes floured and it makes the process

a lot easier.

and yes, i am standing on a step stool.

sometimes it really sucks to be only 5 ft tall.

place your cute cookies on a GREASED cookie sheet.

sprinkle with a little sugar.

if your not going to frost them you can use the colored

sugar to dress them up before you bake them.

bake @ 400* for 8 to 10 minutes.

then cool on rack.

they are yummy just like this,

but let's face it.

frosting makes everything better!

my frosting recipe is appropriately named:

"mom' s frosting"

this recipe however IS MY MOM"S.

she put clothes on our backs when we were little

by baking cakes for people.

and she came up with a easy, yummy frosting recipe.

it is:

1 # powdered sugar

1/2 c crisco

1/2 c white cake mix

(she will only use duncan hines)

1/4 - 1/2 c water.

mix all together with mixer.

add water as you go til you get the consistency you want.

i told you it was easy!!!

color it up with some food coloring.

add some festive sprinkles and watch them quickly

disappear before your eyes.

  (you can't eat just one...i promise)

ok, now it think i need to use the giant heart cookie cutter i

just bought and make some more for valentines day.

ENJOY!!