The Christmas season is a time of joy and spreading love and kindness to those around us. The Dainty Jewell's Foundation is encouraging us all to show a little extra love this year with acts of kindness toward our neighbors and community at large.
Sometimes the simplest acts are the ones that make the most impact on the recipient. You may not be able to give extravagant gifts to your mail delivery personnel, your favorite coffee shop barista, or the law enforcement team of your town, but you can make a few dozen cookies and bless those around you with a smile, a sweet treat, and a big "Merry Christmas!".
One of my favorite cookie recipes is this sugar cookie recipe adapted from The Food Nanny.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups salted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
5 cups all-purpose flour
Powdered sugar to dust counter and rolling pin
Cream cheese frosting:
1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
2 tsp vanilla
4-5 cups powdered sugar
Directions
1. Cream sugar and butter together (on low setting) until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and continue mixing on low. Add vanilla.
2. Add flour and baking powder a little at a time. Mix well.
3. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill 1-2 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 400*F.
5. Sprinkle a generous amount of powdered sugar onto the counter top and begin rolling a third of the dough with a rolling pin. Add powdered sugar to the pin and the top of the dough throughout the rolling process.
6. Roll cookie dough to a 1/2 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters in the desired shape and place on an ungreased baking sheet with 1 inch between each cookie.
7. Bake for 6-8 minutes, being careful not to over bake. Allow to cool before removing from the pan. Chill in the fridge before frosting.
Cream cheese frosting:
1. Cream butter and cream cheese in a small bowl.
2. Add vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and beat until smooth.
Optional: add desired food coloring and mix well.