I am on a warm from the oven kick lately.  I decided I want my kids to look back on their school days with fond memories of homemade cookies and that amazing smell that goes with them.  This is an idea as old as time but the smiles on my kids faces when they see a home-baked treat awaiting their arrival is priceless.  When they come home from school they are tired and hungry.  Realizing that I took a little time to surprise them seems to give them extra energy and, as an extra bonus, I feel like I rocked it today as a mom, and that is worth its weight in gold!

It doesn’t matter if you make sugar, chocolate chip or peanut butter and jelly cookies (recipe for those coming soon!) It’s the effort that counts!!  Everybody appreciates a little effort, especially kids!  Make a batch of dough and cook several while saving the leftover dough for another round in a couple of days.  One batch of dough can last for up to a week in the fridge and bring dozens of smiles.

Here’s the recipe for my simple sugar cookies….you’ll be surprised how quick you can whip these up!

Happy Baking!  ~ Gena

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose, unbleached flour

1 t. salt

1 1/2 t. baking powder

1 stick unsalted butter, softened (1/2 cup)

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

Frosting:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)

1 t. vanilla

1-2 T milk

3-4 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

• Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.
• Mix butter and sugar in bowl of a mixer, fitted with paddle attachment, until creamy.
• Add eggs, one at a time and beat well.  Add vanilla.
• Mix in dry ingredients until combined.  Refrigerate for an hour, if possible.  (I’ve used my dough right away and it works good enough if you’re in a hurry.)
• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• Roll out dough on a floured surface to about 1/8″ thickness.
• Cut with cookie cutter shape of your choice.
• Bake on a parchment lined cookie sheet for 8-10 min.  The longer you bake, the more crispy they will be.
• Let cool on a wire rack.  Frost when cool.

To make frosting :

• Add butter to bowl of a mixer with paddle attachment and beat on med. until creamy.
• Slowly add 2 cups of powdered sugar on low until combined.
• Add vanilla and 1 T milk.  Mix well.
• Gradually add up to 2 cups more powdered sugar until desired thickness is achieved.  Beat on med. high until smooth.  If frosting gets too thick add a little more milk.

Enjoy!!