The taste of a sugar cookie brings me right back to being a kid at Christmas time! Making sugar cookies in the days leading up to Christmas is a tradition that comes from my childhood and is one that we’ve carried on in our family. Even now, living in Australia where it’s hot and humid in December and a bit torturous to turn the oven on, my kids insist that Christmas isn’t Christmas without these cookies!

They’re easy to make, and of course the fun is in cutting the shapes and frosting the cookies. It’s a fun activity the whole family can enjoy.



Here’s the Sugar Cookie Recipe…

Ingredients:

  • 3/8 cup of butter
  • 3/8 cup of shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
  • 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon of salt

Mix thoroughly the shortening, butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Blend in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour, (or you can stick it in the freezer to speed it up a bit. It just needs to be nice and cold when you roll it out and make your shapes).

Roll the dough out to 1/8 an inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes (Christmas trees, stars, bells, Santas, reindeer), and place on a baking sheet.

Bake for 6-8 minutes at 400°F (until very light brown).

Icing for cookies:

  • one box of powdered (icing) sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (or so) of milk
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
  • optional food colouring (red and green)

That’s it– so easy and soooooo yummy!! I also make them on Valentine’s Day (cute pink hearts) and Easter (little chicks) and other festive occasions.

 

For more family-friendly recipes and food ideas, you can check out my eBook or the Nurture e-course. Both of these include some of our favourite recipes!