The BEST Sugar Cookies

I am extremely picky about my cookies and I have tried handfuls of recipes for sugar cookies. This is by far the most delicious sugar cookie EVER. They are that good--perfect texture and perfect flavor. I always get comments on them. The recipes below are from Our Best Bites. I highly recommend making them with the Glace Icing for the perfect flavor. You can enjoy these just in time for the holidays.

Sugar Cookies

1 cup real butter (no substitutions!) at room temperature

1 cups sugar

1 large or extra large egg

1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (can use vanilla but almond is so much better)

3 C flour, lightly spooned into measuring cups and leveled (don’t scoop it!)

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy- about 2 minutes. Add in egg and extract and mix to incorporate.

In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt.  A very important note: It’s important to correctly measure your flour or you will end up with a dry, crumbly dough. Never, ever use your measuring cup to scoop up the flour.  Use a regular sized spoon and spoon the flour into the cup and then level it off with a knife.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until completely combined.

When your dough is made, instead of putting it in the fridge, immediately roll  between 2 sheets of waxed or parchment paper and then place on a flat surface in the fridge.  Chill for about 20-30 minutes and then start cutting it out.  This way it chills faster and the bonus is that you don’t need to add extra flour to roll it out.  If you don’t use this tip, proceed as follows:

Chill the dough in the fridge for about an hour, or use this great tip to make things easier:

When you’re ready to roll out dough lightly sprinkle flour onto your work surface and roll out dough with a rolling pin.

Bake at 350 for 8-12 minutes. The baking time really depends on how you like them. If you like them slightly chewy, about 8-9 minutes does it. If you like them slightly crisp and buttery, then go for 10-12.

Glacé Icing 

1 lb powdered sugar (about 3 3/4 C)

6T whole milk (low-fat actually works, but use whole if you can)

6T light Corn Syrup (6T is equal to 1/4 C plus another 2 T)

1 t extract (almond is my favorite)

With a whisk, combine sugar and milk until smooth (no lumps!) Then stir in corn syrup and extract.