Jennifer's Recipe: Perfect Sugar Cookies

Have you started to think about Valentine's Day yet? Do you need to find the perfect gift for someone special in your life? I think I have just the idea for you. This gift is expensive and a little lavish, but I think anyone will appreciate it. This gift is versatile, and the possibilities are endless. You won't have to go to a specialty store to find this gift. If you want to show someone your love and friendship for them this February 14, consider giving them a dozen eggs. Eggs are a hot commodity right now, and they are sooooo expensive. It is like handing somebody a pot of gold! Think what you can do with them compared to flowers or chocolate! The sky is the limit as far as making something with a dozen eggs.

If you don't want to be that extravagant, perhaps you might consider making and giving your Valentine some Perfect Sugar Cookies. I chose this recipe because it has NO eggs in it. We have to choose how we use our eggs these days. This a simple, straightforward recipe. No chilling, no rolling out dough, no need for cookie cutters or EGGS!

These are slightly crispy, and each bite is delicious with the almond flavoring. You could substitute vanilla, but I prefer the almond extract. You can color your frosting pink and put some red sprinkles on and you will have a great Valentine's treat. The main tips you need for these cookies are not to overbake and to make them the day before you want to eat them. This step allows the flavors to settle in and makes it the Perfect Sugar Cookies.

I hope you try this recipe whether you are rationing your eggs or not! It is a good one to add to your cookie repertoire. The perfect Valentine's gift could be a dozen eggs or these perfect cookies! Tough decision.

Happy Baking!
Jennifer

Perfect Sugar Cookies

Cookie dough ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup soft butter
• 1/4 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 Cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• extra sugar for the top of the unbaked cookies

Glaze/Frosting Ingredients:

• 3/4 Cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 Tablespoon plus possibly 1-2 teaspoons more milk or whipping cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoon softened butter - optional
• food coloring - optional
• sprinkles - optional

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400. Put parchment paper on your cookie sheet.

Combine the butter, sugar, and almond extract in a mixing bowl. Beat 1-2 minutes. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Beat for 1-2 minutes more. Do not overmix. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared sheet. Take a flat-bottomed glass and butter the bottom. Dip it in extra sugar and flatten the cookie to 1/4 inch thickness.

Bake for only 5-7 minutes or just until the edges are very lightly browned. Do not overbake! Cool on the pan for one minute and remove to a wire rack. Cool completely.

Mix the glaze/frosting in a small bowl until smooth and a good consistency for spreading. You can add a few drops of food coloring if you want a colored frosting. Frost the cookies and add sprinkles if using. Store overnight in a sealed container and serve the next day.

Yield - about 23- 24 small cookies

Notes:

• I use the whipping cream for the frosting if I have it, makes for a creamier frosting.
• I do add a little butter or spread to the frosting as well. Again makes it creamier.
• I always bake one pan at a time and rotate it halfway through. These bake in a hurry, so keep a watch on them.
• Be sure to make one day and serve the next. By sitting one day, they become the perfect cookie!
• This recipe can easily be doubled for a bigger batch.
• Recipe adapted from Your Home-Based Mom