This sugar cookie recipe simply cannot be beat!

Mom Knows Best

Every Christmas my mom and I made these cookies together when I was growing up and I intend to carry on the tradition. These are always a crowd pleaser in our family. We hope that you enjoy them as much as we do!

Recipe

Mom’s Sugar Cookies

Yields 20 Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies:

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Frosting:

2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk

Method

Cookies:

In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat butter, sugar and egg on medium speed until creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add orange juice, vanilla extract and almond extract. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Add flour and baking powder and beat at low speed until well mixed.

Divide dough into thirds and shape each into a ball. Flatten slightly and wrap each third in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 2 - 3 hours or until firm.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Lightly flour counter or working surface. Roll out one third of the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Keep the other thirds refrigerated. Cut dough into desired shapes and arrange on an ungreased cookie sheet, allowing room for the cookies to spread.

Bake 6 - 7 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer to cooling rack and let cool completely before frosting.

Repeat steps with remaining dough.