Christmas Cookies

I finally felt the desire to make a mess, and bake some cookies. The baking-bug has just not been in me this year, which is probably for the best. However, I thought it would be nice for my kids to come home to freshly baked Christmas cookies. I was right. When they walked through the door they were ecstatic to see a plate of yummy treats waiting for them. William, who is 6, completely freaked out and said, "Thank you Mommy! Thank you Mommy!" So, it was worth the mess and the effort. I also left some unfrosted so they could decorate their own cookies -- of course they loved that. Who doesn't love to pile on their own frosting and sprinkles? 

I decided to make Sour Cream Sugar Cookies. They turned out really awesomely yummy. I was pleased with them. The trick with these cookies is to mix the dough, but then kneed it until it is nice and smooth. And then roll out the dough nice and thick so they are fluffy and yummy, not hard and gross. I should have taken pictures of the mixing process, but my hands were too messy. 

It was fun to make the kids happy. I am always amazed at the power of a cookie to bring a smile to the face! 

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies 

3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting: 2 Options

Option 1. 
Go to the store and by Cream Cheese frosting from a can to make them EXTRA yummy. I wish I would have done that! 

Option 2. 
Basic Vanilla Frosting (What I did)

3 Cups of Powdered Sugar

1/3 cup of butter (softened, not melted)

1 teaspoon of vanilla 

2 tbsp of milk 

Cookie Directions: 

1. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in bowl and set aside.
2. Cream butter sugar, egg and vanilla. Beat 2 minutes.
3. Add sour cream and beat well. (Sour cream makes them taste yummy!)
4. Add dry ingredient mix (flour, baking soda, and salt) and blend well.

5. Get your hands dirty! Kneed the dough by hand, until smooth. 
6. Roll on a floured board.  Make sure they are nice and thick -- not too thin. 
7. Pick out your cookie cutters, and make fun shaped cookies. 
8. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 325°F for 12 minutes.

9. Let cookies cool on the pan, while you make frosting.

Frosting Directions: 

1. Mix powdered sugar and butter on low. 

2. Add vanilla and enough milk until you reach your desired consistency. 

3. Taste it to make sure it is acceptably delicious.  

Remove the cookies from the pan. Frost and decorate your cookies and ENJOY! 

Yum! Yum! 

* These pictures are a perfect example of how blogger distorts images. In my original, the background is all black, accept the golden lights, and the sprinkles on the in-focus cookies are crystal clear. Aargh. Oh well, you get the idea, I suppose. I think blogger just likes lighter images. 

These cookies were seriously awesome. The sour cream made ALL the difference!