Absolutely "Must-Have"

Cookies are made of butter and love...

Our family loves Christmas goodies, and most of what I make for them are treats like Chex Mix, dipped pretzels, Yurtles, things like that, but the ONE THING my family INSISTS on as a must-have for Christmas it is sugar cookies cut out and frosted.

I don't get fancy on the frosting, I just make SURE that the frosting tastes good, and the frosting goes on for taste only.  8)

I hope you enjoy these good old-fashioned sugar cookies, our family sure does!

Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

Oven @ 350 for 8-10 minutes

(I prefer mine MORE done, you might prefer yours softer and less done.  I like my edges browned and a crunch when I bite into the cookie.)

5 c. flour

1/4 t. soda

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. nutmeg 

(or a pinch more!)

Sift these ingredients and set aside

In your Kitchen-Aid mixer bowl, with the dough paddle on, cream together:

2 c.sugar

2 sticks of butter, 

softened to room temp

1 t. vanilla

2 eggs

6-8 T. milk

Mix to fluffy stage and then start adding flour a little at a time, then mix to correct consistency for rolling out and cutting.  Spread flour and roll out dough and cut into shapes.

I have to make at least four batches to have enough for everyone!  This is a family project, I get everyone in on it, cutting out, baking and frosting.  I generally do all the mixing.

Then I make a batch of frosting using butter, almond flavoring as well as vanilla, and beat in powdered sugar with alternate glops of milk and let it go in the Kitchen-aid until it's a smooth consistency and no longer tastes gritty.  

Then I make all of us sit ourselves at the table with trays full of cookies and we all frost!  Otherwise, this would take a whole day and night to get done!

Never throw out those gorgeous burned-out C-7's or C-9's.
I collect mine in a enamelware bowl in the middle of the table at Christmastime,
for a colorful Christmas centerpiece.
They support a glittery snowflake, just pushed down in the center.

Old-fashioned bubbles lights gurgle away on my dining room windowsill.

Tell me...

WHAT are your FAVORITE Christmas goodies?