Simple Simon and Company

SUBSCRIBE TO GET ALL THE LATEST!

Celebrations· The Art of Homemaking

The Art of Homemaking: In Search of the Ultimate Sugar Cookie

(You don’t mind a picture of kid-decorated cookies do you?  Although I think they did a better job that I can…)
My art of homemaking this last month has been the search for the ultimate sugar cookie.  It all started when I made a batch of sugar cookies before Christmas and they just weren’t very good.  They were so dry and just tasteless.  From there I decided that I wanted to find a great (not just good) sugar cookie recipe in time for Valentine’s Day.  It took three tries (and a lot of leftover sugar cookies lately) but I think I have found one that could be considered a great sugar cookie.
First, I am going to send you to a different place to get the cookie recipe because sadly it is not my own but, I promise, that it is well worth the click. (But then come back because you need the frosting…)
The recipe for the cookie part is HERE.  My only advice on the cookies is to cut them thick (thicker than you think) and do not overbake.  Don’t even let the bottoms get brown yet…it will keep them super soft.
And the frosting recipe is what my mom’s side of the family calls fast “Birthday Cake” frosting.  The real “Birthday Cake” recipe was a cooked frosting with flour and butter to make a roux…..hence the difference in fast or slow, but I think they taste pretty identical.
Ok, now I know that some of you are going to be freaked out when you read down this frosting recipe and find that there is Crisco in it.  Please don’t freak out until you have tried it…..(But, if it still does freak you out that bad….just use butter.)
And plus while you are scooping out the Crisco (regular from the can…not the sticks) you can think of this scene from The Help.  (It’s one of my favorite scenes…)  I love when she says, “How pretty…” it cracks me up every time.
Fast “Birthday Cake” Frosting
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 cup Crisco
2 Tablespoons Milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Beat in a large mixing bowl for 5 minutes.  At first, it won’t look like it will come together, but it will. 
There you go. Print out both recipes and you are ready for Valentine’s Day.
If any of you try them…..let me know your verdict.  Or if you have another ultimate recipe for sugar cookies….I’d love to hear about it.  We are on a sugar cookie roll at our house.
~Elizabeth

More from my site

Subscribe to get all the latest

Comments

  1. 2littlehooligans says

    sour cream in a sugar cookie…i never would have thought! i use one from ms that we love but im going to have to give this one a try. my sugar cookies need to be soft. a hard sugar cookie is no good in my book! well, unless you are going to put royal frosting on them. gosh if i wasnt on a gf diet i would whip a batch of these up right now!

  2. Emily says

    I’ll have to try that one too! My usual sugar cookie recipe also has sour cream in it and they kind of taste like lofthouse cookies. I should probably make some with Ansley; I know she’d love them!! I linked to a couple other really good recipes on fb.

  6. Bratling says

    Elizabeth, since my dad spilled the beans years ago (and over a call-in Nathalie Dupree radio show, at that) I’m going to tell you what *used* to be a family secret. And I’m from the South, where sharing family recipes are a big no-no. (As in, I could tell you the recipe, but then I’d have to kill you!) Add 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg to the cookie batter. Trust me. They’re better with it than without it.

  9. Lee says

    Our family-favorite sugar cookie actually has NO SUGAR in the cookie. It’s all in the frosting, which you pile AT LEAST as high as the cookie is thick. Because there is no sugar, the cookies always come out so super soft. As a bonus, you won’t be the slightest bit tempted to snack on them while you work! 😉