Secret Recipe Sugar Cookies

'Tis the season for Christmas baking, and these cookies are on the top of my list every year. 

My favorite kind of recipes are the ones passed down from each generation to the next.  They're most often titled with the name of the first person to make them, or at least the first to make them famous amongst our extended family.

Though I don't remember my Aunt Eileen, I always think about her when these sugar cookies show up at a family event during the holidays.  They are the perfect cut-out cookie with a secret ingredient which keeps them soft, even though they won't last long in your house.

They are so incredibly easy: one bowl, no sifting, no nonsense, just straight-up sugar cookies meant to be made and decorated and devoured (not always in that order, if you're asking the cookie dough thieves in our family).

Our favorite way is to take a can of white frosting (I know, *cringe*, but just roll with it), whip it in a bowl to make it go further, divide it into 8+ little bowls, make a bunch of fun colors, grab some sprinkles, and go to town.

I highly recommend Wilson brand paste dyes for your frosting.  When you want true red for your candy cane stripes, you'll thank me that you needed a little blob of dye instead of an entire bottle of the drop kind.

They're really fun to make with kids, and even more fun to decorate with friends and family.  Try them out with your favorite baking comrades during these 12 Days of Christmas.

Sugar Cookies
Makes 12 dozen cookies (this varies based on the size of cookie cutters you use, the thickness, etc.)

Ingredients: 
1 C butter
2 C white sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
5 C white flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 C sour cream

Directions:
1) Cream butter and sugar with a mixer; next, add eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and mix together.
2) Add dry ingredients and sour cream to the bowl and mix to combine.
3) Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4) Roll out with plenty of flour to between 1/8" and 1/4", and cut into desired shapes.
5) Place on a greased baking sheet, or an ungreased baking stone.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
6) Cool, decorate, and enjoy.

- Grace