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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Sugar Cookies and the BEST frosting ever!

Greetings!
One of the things that my mother in law mentioned she loved about going into the store is the recipes the ladies share. She happened to get a recipe for clam chowder and then made it the following day for the whole family. (YUM)

So while I was pondering what to put on the blog today, I thought I might share with you one of my most favorite family recipes for sugar cookies!


Now these are the type of sugar cookies that you can roll out and decorate, not the kind you roll in sugar and come out chewy. The best part of this recipe is that there is no refrigeration required. So if you are like me and forget to prepare things in advance, this is perfect.

A word about the frosting. It really is the BEST. Its just a simple buttercream that goes well on everything, but honestly, I am not usually one who enjoys frosting, and this has me licking the beaters. So good. 

Here you go, my family's secret for awesome sugar cookies and buttercream frosting!


Sugar Cookies
8oz package cream cheese, softened
3/4 c butter, softened (the real stuff)
1 c sugar
2 ts vanilla
2 1/4 c flour
1/2 ts baking soda

Method: 
Beat butter and cream cheese together in a standing mixer (or with a hand mixer) with the paddle attachment on medium speed until creamy, about 1-2 min. Add sugar and vanilla and mix until incorporated. Add flour and baking soda and mix thoroughly. Roll out on a clean lightly floured surface to 1/8-1/4 inch thick. Cut out as desired with cookie cutters and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 min. Do not over bake~if they look done, they are overdone. Makes about 3 dozen


Buttercream Frosting (adapted from America's Test Kitchen)

10 Tb unsalted butter (1 1/4 sticks), softened
2 ts vanilla
1 1/4 C (5 oz) confectioners' sugar
pinch table salt
1 Tb heavy cream

Method: 
In a standing mixer with the whip attachment, cream the butter on medium high until smooth (20 sec). Add sugar and salt and beat on medium-low until combined (1 min). Scrape down the side of the bowl as necessary. Add heavy cream and vanilla and beat until incorporated on medium. Then increase the speed to medium high and whip for at least 4 min until light and fluffy. Makes enough frosting for 12 cupcakes or one Sugar Cookie recipe. 


ENJOY!!