Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Sugar Cookies - Sweet Memories

From halloween sugar cookies 2009

My paternal grandmother, Olive, died when I was quite young so I have few real memories of her. The strongest, most significant "mem
ory" I have of her isn't a memory at all but rather a smell. The smell of sugar cookies. I can feel being in her kitchen and standing next to her while she baked them - I don't remember what she looked or the set up the kitchen but I have feelings of love, safety and joy when ever I smell these cookies. I hope you enjoy them.

Olive's Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla (I use McCormicks)
  • 2.5 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • pinch of salt
What to do:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In bowl; whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt to combine. Set aside.
  • In another large bowl beat butter and shortening
  • Beat in sugars until light and fairly fluffy
  • Beat in egg and vanilla.
  • Mix in flour mixture.
  • Divide dough in half; flatten each slightly.
  • Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
  • On lightly floured surface, roll out dough, 1 piece at a time, to 1/4-inch (5 mm) thickness
  • Using 3-inch (8 cm) cookie cutters, cut out shapes.
  • Press scraps together to reroll.
  • Bake in centre of oven for about 12-14 minutes or until light golden on bottom and edges.
  • Let cool for 1 minute on baking sheets.
  • Transfer to racks; let cool completely.
  • Decorate as you like.

10 comments:

  1. Hi Cee Cee, such a lovely blog you have here. And these cookies look stunning. You did beautifully. Cheers & Happy Halloween to you!

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  2. those look great!! I'm always on the look-out for a new sugar cookie recipe. Can't wait to try this one. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Family recipes are the best, and that's a very sweet memory to have of your grandmother. Beautiful decorating!

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  4. did you make the frosting homemade to decorate the cookies homemade too?

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  5. Hi Jenn - I used premade royal icing powder - all you have to do is add water and your own food colouring.

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  6. They are amazing. Now I feel doubly inadequate!! I cannot for the life of me do that with royal icing. I had to use fondant for mine. Check them out!

    Well done on the faces. They have great expressions!

    Who is getting them?

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  7. Thanks Mr. P - We make a good pair because fondant scares me! I will have to practice. My 5 year old daugther took the cookies to school for her Halloween party!

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