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Day 281: Sugar Cookie Cutouts

This time of year is all about reconnecting with food memories.  Today, we are baking sugar cookies!

This recipe is from a magazine called Christmas Cookies 1992, and was faxed to me by my dad on November 29, 2004.  I recall making them in my first apartment after college, and many, many times since.  The sugar cookies of my childhood.

If we were home this year, we would bake cookies with my niece and nephew.  Instead, we are decorating via videocall this afternoon to carry on the sweet memory.  The dough is currently chilling in the fridge, and I think we'll just about make it in time!

Sugar Cookie Cutouts

From Christmas Cookies 1992, weights added by me.

1/3 cup     (76 g)        butter or margarine

1/3 cup     (64 g)        vegetable shortening

2 cups       (250 g)      all-purpose flour

3/4 cup     (150 g)      granulated sugar

1                                   egg

1 Tbsp       (12 g)        milk

1 tsp          (5 g)          baking powder

1 tsp          (4 g)          vanilla

 

Beat butter and shortening with an electric mixer about 30 second, or till softened.  Add about half of the flour.  Add sugar, egg, milk, baking powder, and vanilla, and a dash of salt. Beat till combined.  Beat or stir in remaining flour.  Divide dough in half.  Cover and chill about 3 hours or till easy to handle.

For cutouts, roll each half of dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness. Using desired cookie cutters, cut dough into shapes.  Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 7 to 8 minutes or till done (Note: barely any color!).

Cool cookies on cookie sheet for 1 minute.  Remove cookies from sheet; cool on a wire rack. Makes 36 to 42.


Powdered-Sugar Glaze

Combine 1 cup sifted powdered sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in a small mixing bowl.  Stir in 1 tablespoon milk. Stir in additional milk 1 tsp at a time till icing is smooth and of drizzling consistency.  Spread on cookies with a small spatula, or brush on with a 1-inch-wide brush.  Makes about 1/2 cup.

 


NEW for 2020! 
Variations on a Theme

We have been watching, and inspired, by Sugar Rush on Netflix.  They mix up some very interesting flavors!  We made half a batch of classic cookies, then the other half smaller for some experimentation.  Ours, today:
  • Cannoli Sandwich Cookies- part skim ricotta, a dash of almond extract, powdered sugar, blitzed dark chocolate chunks.  Edged in chocolate chunk powder;
  • Raspberry Sandwich Cookie- Raspberry jam, lemon curd, and a twist of salt; and
  • Cinnamon Cardamom- Added the spices to the vanilla glaze, sprinkled on some chopped almonds.

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