December 4th is National Cookie Day—clearly, an occasion we can all agree is worth celebrating! In the spirit of the day, I wanted to share a few words about our family’s traditions, and a pair of much-loved recipes.

Sugar cookies are part of our family’s holiday tradition. You can’t just make a tiny batch, either; you have to cover your kitchen with flour and craziness to fully embrace all this project has to offer. Childhood is short, and sharing special moments is a beautiful privilege … so set aside the daily grind for a little bit. Put away those teacher guides, don your apron and just be Mom. Taking a few hours to get messy and have some fun makes for priceless memories. Let your home erupt with holiday spirit, light the fireplace, and crank up the Christmas music.

Childhood is short, and sharing special moments is a beautiful privilege ... so set aside the daily grind for a little bit. Put away those teacher guides, don your apron and just be Mom. Click To Tweet

When my children were mere toddlers, I would cut out and bake the cookies the night before, simply because some sugar cookies—reindeer with delicate legs, for example—can be difficult and tedious to extract from the cutter. With the baking done, the next day I’d bring in the kids for the fun part: decorating. They would splash on colors, and drown their creations with sprinkles. Not sure they were always edible afterwards, but the kids sure were proud of their masterpieces. Anyone finding their way to our doorstep would get a taste. We hauled them to grandma’s house, and gave them to aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and neighbors. Even if you don’t think you have any local peeps to share with, take another look around: bless a shut-in, meet a neighbor down the street, take them to a retirement home, drop off a few dozen at the police or fire station. Most people will be positively thrilled to get these handmade treats.

I acquired my recipe from Michelle Duggar; it’s been a favorite for years. To my palate, it has just the right amount of sweetness.

SUGAR COOKIES

Preheat your oven to 350° F while you are mixing up your dough.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cup butter softened
• 2 cups sugar (or substitute 1 cup of Pure, Truvia, or other healthy stevia-type sweetener)
• 2 eggs
• 5 cups flour
• 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream the butter and sugar together. Add all the other ingredients, roll out and get busy. Once you have filled your ungreased baking sheets, bake 8-10 minutes until slightly brown. Don’t over-bake (especially if you prefer chewy cookies, like I do).

Here is my favorite buttercream icing recipe that was shared with me by Margie, a Mennonite friend who decorates many cakes.

BUTTERCREAM ICING

• 2 lb powdered sugar
• 1 cup Crisco
• ¼ cup meringue powder
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla (if you want your icing to be white; regular vanilla is fine if you will be coloring it anyhow)
• ½ teaspoon butter flavoring
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• ½ to 2/3 cup water until you reach your desired consistency

Mix all ingredients together and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Yield: 6 cups; icing will last 6 weeks in the refrigerator, or 3 months frozen.

What are your family’s favorite cookie traditions? Do you have a favorite recipe you would like to share with us? We’d love to hear it!

Happy Holidays!

 

Editors note: for convenience, you can download the Sugar Cookies & Buttercream Icing Recipe Printable .