Sugar Cookies

This is the recipe for Betty Crocker's Rolled Sugar Cookies. This recipe has never once made mediocre cookies. Never.

Sift together & set aside:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Mix together with electric mixer until fluffy:

• 6 T butter
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar

Add 1 egg, 1 T milk and 1 tsp vanilla until creamy.

Add flour mixture to the beaten ingredients & mix together until well combined.

Refrigerate dough for at least 3 hours. When ready to cut, roll out 1/2 the dough at a time onto a lightly floured surface to 1/8" thickness.

Place cut dough onto a ungreased cookie sheet & bake at 375F for 8-10 minutes.

I always run out of ambition at this point & use canned vanilla frosting. And, no one minds one bit. If you peeps mind the canned frosting, try using Wilton's buttercream -- made with butter, not Crisco.

I made this for MiniMe's Kindergarten Thanksgiving Party. The trunk is just vanilla frosting (tinted brown) on a cake board. The cookies are stuck in place with frosting.

Deb's Perfect Molasses Ginger Cookies

A friend (ÜberHausFrau) of a friend (CoopaChick) is known far & wide for her wunderbar HausFrau skills. She lives in her kitchen, homeschools her kids (all 6 of them) & she can totally put me to shame in the Bread & Desserts Department. And, she might even give BBLady a run for her cookie money.

So, do I know where to steal a recipe, or what? Right here on her food blog.

Our PTSO is collecting cookies to make into cookie goodie bags for teachers & I decided to send a little food porn their way in the form of molasses cookies.

Molasses Ginger Cookies, The Perfect Version

Cream together:

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/2 packed brown sugar

When fluffy, add & blend well:

• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

Dry ingredients, mix together with wire whisk:

• 2 cups flour, sifted
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt

Mix wet & dry ingredients together until the dough is uniform. Form cookies into balls - I used the small Pampered Chef scoop - & roll in a mixture of brown/white sugar (50/50). Bake at 375F, for 8-10 minutes, or until puffed up & the tops begin to crack. Cool on a wire rack.

BBLady -- I think I just might be making these for your Cookie Exchange. I'm throwing down the gauntlet. Game on!

Oh, and ÜberHausFrau, you aren't the only one who take pictures of cookies on cute little plates. Vielen Dank for the recipe.

~HausFrau

Laze-E's Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes, each batch

Difficulty: easy

This recipe makes a wonderful cake-like spice cookie.

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix dry ingredients together and set aside.

In a separate bowl, cream together with electric mixer:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature

To cream mixture, add & beat until creamy:

• 15 oz canned pumpkin
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons amaretto

Mix in dry ingredients with a wooden spoon.

Use small scoop to make 1 inch diameter cookies.
Roll cookie dough in a mixture of:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Place on baking stone or cookie sheet. Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes. Remove cookies from baking stone & move to a wire rack. Immediately spread on canned vanilla frosting & sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar. Frosting will melt on the hot cookies and make an icing glaze.

Cookies can be sprinkled with powdered sugar instead of frosting.

Nuts, raisins & chocolate chips can be added for variety.

Patrick's Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Difficulty:Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Baking Time: 8-10 minutes each batch

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 2/3 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

• 3 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Add chocolate chips to your butt's heart's desire

Preheat oven to 375F

Mix thoroughly shortening, butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Drop dough 2 inches apart.

Bake for 8-10 minutes

BB Tip: Use a small ice cream scoop to get uniform cookies, one inch in diameter.