I’m not one of those cooks who produces decorated sugar cookies that are tiny works of art. I am a regular Mom and Grammy who makes cookies that taste good and become a fun experience to share with my children and grandchildren.

My favorite holiday sugar cookie recipe is from King Arthur Baking Company and it’s called King Arthur’s Special Sugar Cookies. This particular recipe is no longer on their website, so lucky for me I always keep a print copy!

The dough needs to be chilled before working with it. I generally make the dough the day before I plan to bake the cookies so that it saves me a little time.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract + 1 teaspoon almond extract, or the flavoring of your choice
3 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Sparkling white sugar, optional, for decorating

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the extract or flavorings. Stir in the dry ingredients.

Divide the dough in half, wrapping each half in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours.

To bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Working with one portion at a time, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into your favorite shapes with a cookie cutter. Sprinkle with sugar, if desired.

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until they’re a very light brown. Remove the cookies from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.

Frost the cookies as you like, or dip them in chocolate. These also make great cookies sandwiched with jam.