Best Sugar Cookie Recipe

The holiday season and a batch of decorated Christmas sugar cookies go hand-in-hand. This Christmas Sugar Cookie recipe is a family favorite! My recipe promises delicious cookies with soft and thick centers, slightly crisp edges, and flat tops for decorating. Get out your rolling pin and favorite cookie cutters and have fun!

Ingredients

1 cup sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

2 cups vegetable shortening (Crisco)

3/4 tsp. vanilla

1 egg beaten

4 1/3 cup cake flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

3 tsp. orange zest

Directions

Cream sugar and Crisco
Mix on low for 30sec. then scrape bowl
Increase speed to Medium. Mix for 3 min.
Slowly add vanilla and beat in eggs
Separate bowl: combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the mixture to the mixing bowl, mixing on slow speed until just blended. Don’t over-mix.

Cut-Outs

Form dough into two balls, and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
Roll out on a floured surface and cut with cookie cutters
Bake at 375º for 9-10 minutes
Cookies are done when small cracks appear and are pale golden

Frosting

2 sticks butter

7 cups powdered sugar

1/2 milk

2 tsp. vanilla

Directions

Mix ingredients
For colored frostings, separate to small bowls and add food coloring.

Cover and store decorated cookies for up to 5 days at room temperature or up to 10 days in the refrigerator.