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the best sugar cookies
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The Best Sugar Cookies

Chewy, pillowy and just as delicious without frosting. That's how you know it's a good cookie!

Ingredients

For cookies:

  • 1 1/2 cups butter softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 5 cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt

For frosting:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2-4 tsp milk

Instructions

Directions for cookies:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar together until smooth.
  • Then beat in eggs, vanilla and almond extract until combined.
  • Next, stir in flour, baking powder and salt until just combined. Cover and chill for at least an hour.
  • Roll out dough on a floured surface, 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes. Place 1 inch apart on parchment lined cookie sheets.
  • Bake 6-8 minutes until edges are just about to brown. Remove from sheet immediately and let cool on wire racks. Cool completely before frosting. 

Directions for frosting:

  • In a medium bowl, mix powdered sugar, vanilla, melted butter and 2 tsp milk together with a hand mixer. Add more milk as needed to reach desired consistency. Remember that the food coloring will also thin it out a little. If it becomes too thin, no worries just add more powdered sugar.