Best Sugar Cookies Ever

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We are all born to be successful at different things.

Our talents and strengths are as diverse as we are.

One of my favorite hobbies that I have enjoyed since I was a teenager is making the Best Sugar Cookies Ever!!!!

I have literally spent years perfecting this recipe.

I have also ruined other sugar cookies for my family and friends forever.

My sister came home from a holiday work party last year and called me to ask if I would please bring my sugar cookies to our family party later in the week.

She confessed that some sweet person at work had made cookies for everyone to decorate and she almost gagged when she tried taking a bite.

She told me that sometimes she forgets how spoiled she is because our family recipe is so fantastic!

So prepare yourself to ruin outsider cookies forever because it will very likely happen…….

Wet Mixture

To begin, beat shortening, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk in your Kitchen Aid Mixer.

The almond extract is one of the secret ingredients that makes these cookies SO fabulous!

Bonus Tip: Make sure to use extra large eggs.

The only time I botched this recipe was one time when I used medium eggs; they are too small and ruin the dough composition.

Beat in Kitchen Aid Mixer on high for two minutes.

Dry Mixture

In separate bowl blend flour, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.

Add slowly to wet mixture just until blended.

Bonus Tip: The original recipe calls for a dash of nutmeg but I add four or five big dashes for an extra fantastic flavor!

Prepare for Baking

Roll out dough on floured surface immediately to about one fourth inch thick.

Bonus Tip: For fluffy cookies roll out fatter and for crispier cookies, roll out thinner.

Cut dough into shapes and place on baking sheet half inch apart from each other.

Bake, checking the bottom of cookie at seven minutes and every minute thereafter until cookies are done.

Cookie does not turn brown!

Remove cookies from baking sheet with metal spatula and place on wire cooling racks.

Once they cool completely, you are ready to frost!

Homemade Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Mix 28 ounces confectioner’s sugar, 8 Tablespoons softened butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon almond extract, and 2-3 Tablespoons of milk in a bowl with hand held mixer for two minutes.

Separate into bowls and add different coloring to each bowl if desired.

Store any unused frosting tightly covered in refrigerator.

These sugar cookies are sure to warm the hearts of anyone on your holiday list!

Make them for every holiday: Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Birthday, Friday, whatever!

Bonus Tip: These cookies bake best when the dough is cut into three-inch round shapes.

I have tried SO many cookie cutter shapes but I don’t especially like how they turn out, either because the edges aren’t as crisp and clean looking or they don’t cook as evenly when cut into a weird shape.

I just use a regular small kitchen cup to cut them out and then I add seasonal decorations.

For example, instead of using a heart-shaped cookie cutter on Valentine’s Day, use a circle shape for the dough and then pipe heart shapes onto the frosting or use heart-shaped sprinkles.

Instead of using a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter, use a circle shape for the dough and decorate it to be a gold coin.

Instead of using a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, use a circle shape for the dough and decorate it to be an ornament.

If you really want to use cookie cutters, great, just try to find shapes that are simple (like heart or star).

This dough works better and tastes better the less you mix it and roll it out.

Don’t mix old and new dough (once you cut and remove your shapes, the dough you gather up is old dough so roll that dough out again just by itself and then cut out shapes again).

Never roll it out more than three times (I try not to roll it out more than twice).

Mixing it too much changes the composition and taste.

Please note that this recipe contains almond extract so omit that if you have anyone on your receiving list with a tree nut allergy.

There are endless possibilities for delicious creations!

Have fun experimenting with shapes and colors while you decorate and enjoy making these amazing cookies!

Don’t forget to share this recipe with family and friends using the share buttons below.

Our best wishes for a fun Sugar Cookie Making Time today and every day!