Dad's Sugar Cookies

It just wouldn't be Christmas around my house without some good ole sugar cookie cut-outs to decorate with the kids.  My kids really went nuts with these babies!

My dad has been making these sugar cookies for years and he was kind enough to share the recipe with us.  I know, he's a pretty nice guy!

We make these every year at Christmas time but this sugar cookie recipe can be used for any occasion with any style of cookie cutter.  Use it for valentines day, Easter, birthdays, Halloween, or whatever.  So follow along as I show you how to make these tasty sugar cookes:

Dad's Sugar Cookies (regular batch)-makes 30-40 cookies

*Recipe courtesy of My Dad

Print Recipe

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon Lemon OR Vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Dad's Sugar Cookies (double batch)-makes 70-80 cookies

*Recipe courtesy of My Dad

Print Recipe

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon Lemon OR Vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons salt

In a large bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt.

In a large mixing bowl cream together the shortening and butter.  Mix in the sugar.

Beat in the eggs and extract.

Slowly add the flour a cup at a time.

Mix well until all flour has been incorporated.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Roll dough out onto a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut with cookie cutters.

Bake on an ungreased baking sheet for 7-8 minutes or until lightly browned on edges, or just before.  Try to bake similar sized cookies together.  Let cool on pan before removing.

Powdered Sugar Frosting (single recipe size, double if making a double batch)
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon shortening

Mix all frosting ingredients together until well combined.  Separate into separate bowls and use food coloring to color frosting.

This makes a slightly runny frosting that will harden as it dries.  To frost, dip cookie upside-down into the frosting.  Lift out and spoon off excess frosting.  Lay down on waxed paper to decorate with desired toppings/sprinkles.  You can also spoon frosting over cookies to decorate.  The kids can do these very easily since they just dip the cookie directly into the frosting!

The kids will have a blast!

My son has an obsession with sprinkles!

Enjoy!

And get creative!

P.S. you can freeze the plain cookies prior to frosting to keep longer and remove from freezer when ready to decorate!