Christmas Sugar Cookies!

I don't claim to be the most exceptional baker (I've had a few cakes go very south over the years), but holiday baking is one of my favorite things. Homemade cinammon rolls are reserved for Christmas eve, pumpkin bread is a Thanksgiving favorite & of course sugar cookies are our go-to just before Christmas. I wanted to share our favorite cookie & icing recipe with you guys - it's indulgent, extra sweet and SO good. The icing is very forgiving, which makes you look like a cookie decorating pro, when in reality, you're only mildly better than your two year old. 

LORI'S FAVORITE CUT OUT COOKIES 

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup butter, softened 

3 oz cream cheese

1 egg + 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

3 cups flour

1. Combine sugar, butter, cream cheese, egg and vanilla...

beat at medium speed until light & fluffy. Add flour, beat until well mixed. 

2. Divide dough in half. Wrap each half & refrideragte for at least 2 hours. 

3. Roll out dough to 1/4" thickness on slightly floured surface. Cut out shapes.

4. Bake at 375 degrees for 7-10 minutes (take out before they start to brown)

5. Frost or dip in icing & sprinkles

We made our dough ahead of time and waited to bake for a couple days, it holds perfectly in the fridge or freezer! 

VANILLA ICING

2 cups powdered sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons fat-free milk, divided

1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Mix powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and vanilla in a medium bowl with a fork. 

2. Add additional 1 tablespoon milk until desired spreading consistency is reached.

We added food coloring and separated frosting into piping bags for decorating! 

*Note: this frosting will harden, so you'll want to add sprinkles shortly after icing!

 

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I'll just confess: baking with toddlers is every bit as stressful as you'd think. I'm more of a "you watch, I'll do" mom this way. I waited until the kids went down for naps to frost most of these, with the exception of three each. It was that or everyone got a pile of frosting and a half eaten cookie in their delivery. Pick your battles, friends. 

  

We doubled this recipe and made what felt like a million sugar cookies - perfect for your mailman (even though he hates you and all of your package pick-ups), house cleaner (who can't believe you let your kitchen sink get so gross), the milk man (the one who delivers all the milk that gets spilled at dinner every night) and even your favorite lady at the bank (who never rolls her eyes at your kids even though they're acting like absolute lunatics). 

Hope you'll go spread some cheer! We're only 10 days out and I'm just wiggling with Christmas excitement!