sugar cookies

The kids are quietly settled in with a few crafts... ahh, the sounds of imaginations and sibling sharing.  

Here is the yummy sugar cookie recipe I promised.  It is the family favorite.  You must try it.  My 1 and 2 love rolling the dough and cutting the shapes.  

Good Sugar Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened 

8 ounces light cream cheese

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup skim milk

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 1/2 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1  teaspoon baking soda

4 teaspoons baking powder

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).  Prep your cookie sheets, I use parchment paper on my cookie sheets.
   
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese with the sugar.  Add the eggs, milk, almond and vanilla extracts and mix until smooth.
   
3. In a medium bowl, sift flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.  Gradually add dry ingredients to the above mixture.
   
4. Chill for at least 1 hour.
   
5. Roll out dough very thin and cut out shapes.  You may need to chill and roll out a few times to get through all the dough.
   
6. Bake in preheated oven for 7-10 minutes.
   

Fabulous Frosting

A ton of powdered sugar

3 tablespoons hot skim milk

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1/2 tablespoon meringue powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1.  Combine sugar and milk then add the butter.  Mix until smooth.
   
2. Mix in meringue powder.
   
3. Add vanilla and almond extracts until all is smooth and well mixed.
   

You can add more or less milk to get the desired consistency.  Martha tends to go more runny for a smooth look and the grocery store tends to go thicker for a spreadable frosting.  I went more thin in the photo above, I dipped the cookies in the frosting and sprinkled with sparkly sugar.

These cookies are just perfect. Lofty and light tasting.  Super delicious.