Sugar Cookies and Icing!

Sugar Cookies - for the whole year!

This recipe is for a very LARGE base mix for sugar cookies.  The base mix is stored in freezer bags and can be pulled out quickly as needed and with an egg and some vanilla, sugar cookies can be made anytime all year round.  I wholeheartedly believe that this is truly one of the best recipes I use and a true family favorite.

 {Print Recipe}

Ingredients: {Base Mix}

12 cups all-purpose flour
  6 cups sugar
  2 TBLS baking powder
  1 TBLS salt
  4 cups shortening (we like the butter-flavored for this recipe)

In a VERY large bowl, combine the first four ingredients.  Mix a little.  Cut in shortening until mixture resembles crumbles.  ::I use my hands!  Messy but much easier!::


Base mix = 2 cups of this crumble
Yields about 10 servings of Base Mix.

I freeze 2 cups of Base Mix in quart size freezer bag.  

I simply label it: "Add 1 egg & ½ teaspoon vanilla.  Bake at 375ºF for approx. 8 min."

 

Directions:

Extra ingredients needed:  1 egg & ½ teaspoon vanilla  --homemade vanilla is sooo good!

Using a serving of the Base Mix (2 cups - loosely measured), add in 1 egg and ½ tsp. vanilla and mix together to form a dough.  If dough is too dry, you can add a tiny amount of water.

Roll out dough to about 1/8 inch thick.

Using cookie cutters, or even the rim of glass, cut dough and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

 I recommend using silicone baking mats or parchment paper.  Easy clean-up.

Bake at 375ºF for approximately 8 minutes or until the bottoms turn a very light golden brown.

Cool on wire rack!

Let the decorating begin!

 

Easy and beautiful Icing

 

Ingredients:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 TBLS water

1 TBLS light corn syrup

¼  teaspoon flavoring - (we love our homemade vanilla!)

Directions:

Mix it all together!  Really simple and easy.  Consistency should be on the thicker side to allow for icing to go smoothly but not run off cookie.  Add in drops of your favorite food coloring.

My notes:  I double or triple the icing recipe and spoon into a bunch of smaller bowls and then add in the food coloring to have a bunch of colors available.