The BEST Sugar Cookie Recipe EVER

I gave this post from three years ago a little refresher... but not much has changed - they're still THE best.  Christmas isn't Christmas without these babies.  Hope you love them.

Guys, I'm not kidding when I tell you that these are THE best sugar cookies in the world.  They've been tried, they've been tested and they never fail to disappoint.  We make these every year for Christmas and usually Valentine's Day and Halloween too.  The recipe makes a TON and they are pretty time consuming, but it's so worth it and then you have plenty to either share or freeze for later. 

- SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM FOR A PRINTABLE RECIPE -

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INGREDIENTS:

2 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
2 1/4 teas. vanilla
4 1/2 teas. baking powder
2 cup sugar
4 Tbsp. milk
3/4 teas. salt
6 cup flour

DIRECTIONS:

Mix in order. Chill dough 1/2 hour. Roll out dough to about 1/4" on a heavily floured surface and cut into desired shapes. Bake approx. 6 minutes at 375 (my oven cooks fast, so I only cook mine for 5 minutes depending on how thick they are - they should be just barely - if at all - golden brown on the bottoms). I know I already said it, but this recipe seriously makes a LOT of cookies!! Sometimes if I’m really on my game, I’ll make some for the holiday coming up - for example, before Valentine’s Day I’ll make Easter cookies too and freeze them. You can also freeze the dough. 

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And these wouldn't be the best ever sugar cookies without the best ever sugar cookie icing!!!!  

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INGREDIENTS:

powered sugar 

a small amount of milk to create desired consistency (you need WAY less milk that you'd think!  It should be similar to thick pudding consistency.  If it's too runny, just add a bit more powdered sugar.) 

a drop or two of almond extract *optional - I love them with and without it!

color as desired

Then…. decorate, let dry, enjoy and SHARE!!!  Really the goal at this point would be to not eat them all yourself. ** Let the frosting dry completely on a flat surface before stacking/moving.

This little profile though... my helpers are the cutest. 

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If your kids are anything like mine, they decorate (and eat) about 2-3 cookies and then disappear into thin air... leaving me with about five million more to frost.  At times I am tempted to just leave them, but these cookies just do NOT taste the same unfrosted.  If you happen to find yourself in a similar predicament, have no fear!!  You can totally freeze the unfrosted cookies and save them for another day.  Happy Holidays!!