Sugar Cookies; A Favorite Cookie Jar Treat In Many Shapes

Sugar cookies are often voted the best treat for both adults and children alike. They are very easy to make and the simple sugar taste makes them one of the most popular cookie around. These cookies can be made in several different ways. They can be plain round cookies or molded into various shapes. They can simply be plain or sprinkled with sugar. They can have icings applied in a rainbow of colors or they can have candied fruits or chocolate chips added. It does not matter how they are served, they will be loved by all.

Sugar cookies have been made for quite a long time. The modern recipe was invented by immigrants coming from the Dutch lands to America and eventually called Pennsylvania Dutch. The recipe was very popular and soon it was known all over the world. Pennsylvania adopted the cookie as the state cookie in 2001.

There were sugar cookies before the Dutch were making them. Bakers in the seventh century would test the temperature of their ovens by making small cakes made of sugar that would not matter if they burned or not. If they did not burn the oven was at the right temperature. It was not right to throw this cake away so they sold them as small sugar cakes. In France they were referred to as gimblettes and the Italian's sold cimbellines.

The texture of some cookies is airy and light and they raise very high while in the oven. They have a bit of crunch on the edges but are very soft and light. Still other cookies are dense and crisp. Recipes are different and you can find the one you remember as a child.

The crisp variety can be rolled flat and cookie cutters can be used to make a variety of shapes. These are the kind you see during holidays. There are heart cookies made during Valentine's Day. Bunny and egg shaped cookies are made for Easter. You will normally see pumpkin cookies around Halloween and cookies that look like turkeys for Thanksgiving. At Christmas there is the most variety from Santa's face to Christmas trees and stockings.

The recipe that follows is one of the soft cookies and is not made with granulated sugar but with powdered sugar. These cookies are light and soft. They do not work well with cookie cutters since the dough is too soft to hold shape.

First turn the oven on to 350 degrees F. In a bowl with an electric mixer mix 1 half pound of butter that has been softened. Gradually add one whole cup of confectioners' sugar. Continue by adding 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla and combine well. Combine 2 cups of flour and one half of a teaspoon of baking soda in another bowl. Mix together and gradually add to egg mixture. Take a teaspoon and scoop out some dough rolling it into a 1 inch ball. Grease a cookie sheet and place balls at least 2 inches apart then using the tines of a fork press the cookie flat. Bake 6 minutes or until brown then take out of the oven and let the cookies harden up for about five minutes. Remove to a rack to cool. If you like you can shake a little granulated sugar on the surface before you put them in the oven. This recipe will make about five dozen round cookies.

The next recipe if for the cut out type of sugar cookie. Sift 1 and a half cups of flour and two teaspoons of baking powder and a half teaspoon of salt into a bowl and set aside. In a mixer bowl with a mixer cream one cup of butter. Gradually add 1 and a half cup of granulated sugar and beat well. In a small bowl break two eggs and whip until frothy. Add to the butter combination with 1 tablespoon of milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add another cup and a half of flour gradually. The dough should have a smooth consistency so if adding more flour will make the dough very stiff stop and add no more. Roll dough into a big ball and cover with waxed paper chilling it for about one hour. Roll to around one fourth inch thickness and place about 2 inches part on a nonstick sprayed cookie sheet. Bake in a 400 degree F oven for around 10 minutes, but make sure to watch. If the edges start to get too brown remove them before 10 minutes is up. Do not remove from cookie sheet immediately but let them set for about 2 minutes to harden up before placing them on a cooling rack.

Make sugar cookies all times of the year instead of just during holidays. Make some for your friends and family and they will not last long.

You can make sugar cookies that will look beautiful and taste fabulous! Visit our site and find Sugar Cookie Recipes from all over the world!