Best Ever Sugar Cookies

Easter is coming up soon, so we will be hosting our usual large gathering of family. Of course, the festivities include a big egg hunt. Since we have a jr. acre to hide eggs on and a lot of kids we hide a lot of eggs. Enough eggs are hidden that I am guaranteed to find a plastic egg full of candy every time I mow the lawn until August or September. Obviously, there is plenty of candy for the kids, so I like to make a special treat for the adults. One good option is Best Ever Sugar Cookies because they are festive as well as easy. Additionally, they don’t require silverware to serve, so clean up is minimal. But the best part is how delicious they are.

Best Ever Sugar Cookies are a perfect example of a dangerously addictive treat. In fact, I only make them for parties because if I made them any more often our waistlines would be in trouble. In truth, these are sugar cookies, really good and rich sugar cookies. And they are not the hard, crispy sugar cookies which are rather bland. So, if you are looking for that kind you may want to move on. These sugar cookies are thick, soft, and heavenly homemade sugar cookies. Additionally, they have lots of creamy, thick icing on top. These have always been a hit whenever I make them. This tried and true recipe has been in my home files for years and will continue to be. So, keep reading on for how to make these delicious and easy cookies!

First, a few tips on making these

Lately, I have been baking these cookies as bars. However, for years I rolled the dough into a log and then refrigerated it. After this it was cut circles. It really doesn’t matter which way you do it because they taste delicious just the same. It is a preference thing. With the bar shape I can eliminate the refrigeration and just bake right away. Another benefit of bars is sizing them how I want. They can be cut into either into mini, bite sized treats or big squares. The shape does not affect the taste, so pick your shape and make it your own.

On ingredients, since using real butter enhances the cookies I don’t recommend using shortening or margarine substitutes. Also, I don’t recommend swapping out the sugars, but leaving them as they are. Using the combination of powdered sugar with white sugar adds to the shortbread-like texture of this yummy cookies.

This is a recipe that makes a lot of cookies, so it is a great one to pull out for parties, birthdays, events, etc. These amazing cookies are wonderful for any occasion since they are easily customized. Another awesome way to use these is as favors or gifts. To do this bake as rounds and frost. Later when the frosting is set individually wrap the cookies in saran wrap and seal them with a cute sticker. Then you will have a nice favor to send home with people. Additionally, a favorite activity to do with kids is have a cookie decorating session using these. Bake the cookies, but let the kids decorate them with sprinkles squeezable icings and gels, etc. This is always popular with kids. There is no wrong occasion to make these cookies, so get out your mixer and enjoy!

Best Ever Sugar Cookies

5 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup butter (2 cubes)

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

First start by creaming sugars and butter together. Next, add oil, eggs, and extracts. After this, combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Stir this into wet ingredients until dough comes together. Take the dough and press it into a greased 12 x 17 baking sheet. You may find a rolling pin helpful to spread the dough around evenly.

When the dough is pressed evenly in pan bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until edges are lightly brown and middle is getting puffy. Make sure not to overbake these because they are better slightly under-baked. While the cookies are cooling make the frosting (read below for frosting recipe). When the cookies are completely cooled it is time to frost.

Frosting

2 lbs. powdered sugar

1 cup soft butter

3/4 cup light cream (or enough to make frosting consistency)

1 tsp. vanilla

Desired food coloring (I used teal here for the Tiffany Blue shade)

Sugar balls (I used a mix of gold and pearl to complement the Tiffany Blue)

In a mixer, blend powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and 1/4 cup light cream together. After this, slowly add remaining cream in 1/4 cups increments. Continue to whip frosting on high until it is spreading consistency. Spread whipped frosting on cooled cookies. Sprinkle with gold and pearl balls right away. If you wait until the frosting sets they will roll off. Cut cookies and serve. These cookies freeze well.

For sliced cookies: roll dough into log and wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate for an hour and then slice and bake as directed.

For cut outs: refrigerate dough for an hour and then roll out between wax paper. Flour both sides and cut out shapes. Bake as directed.

Perfect for Christmas!

Enjoy your Best Ever Sugar Cookies!

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