Rolled Sugar Cookies FROM ALL RECIPES Ingredients • 1 1/2 cups butter, softened • 2 cups white sugar • 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 5 cups all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1 teaspoon salt Directions
1. Cream together butter and sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. 2. Cover and chill dough for at least 1 hour (or overnight). 3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 4. Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Roll out dough to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. 5. Bake 6 to 8 minutes, until cookies are lightly browned. 6. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before decorating. Icing Ingredients • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • food coloring (optional) Directions 1. Beat shortening (or butter) in a large bowl until creamy. Gradually mix in confectioner’s sugar in small amounts, alternating with milk until smooth. Mix in vanilla and continue to beat until frosting is stiff and glossy, about 5 minutes, adding more milk if needed. 2. Mix in food coloring, separating into smaller bowls if using multiple colors. 3. Spread on cookies or fill piping bags to decorate cookies as desired. • 1/2 cup shortening or butter • 4 cups confectioner’s sugar • 5 tablespoons milk; more as needed
SAMANTHA AND HER KIDS ENJOY A DAY WITH EXTENDED FAMILY BAKING CHRISTMAS COOKIES EACH YEAR.
Making MESSY MEMORIES Cookies and catch-ups are a staple in Samantha Young’s family. “Every year about a week before Christmas, my mom, my sister and I and our children get together and bake dozens of traditional Christmas cookies,” said Samantha. “We bake and taste test cookies all day long, while sharing memories of past Christmases and catching up on each others’ lives.” Some cookies are kept for the families to enjoy, and some get boxed up to give away. It’s a tradition that was recently reinstated when Samantha moved her family back to Oklahoma after living away during her time as a travel nurse. “I think us all being apart made us realize how important doing those special things together really is, especially around the holidays with our own little ones,” said Samantha. The good thing about cookie cutting and decorating is that kids of any age can be involved! Whether it be mixing ingredients, creating new shapes or finding funny and creative ways to ice the cookies, Samantha’s son and all his cousins look forward to the festivities. While cookies are seemingly the main event of the tradition, the real treasure is togetherness. “Family time is so important, and we are creating fond memories with our extended family that our children can look back on in a positive way,” said Samantha. “Hopefully it will encourage them to create similar traditions with their own families in the future.”
30 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / NOV-DEC 2022
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