I'm getting ready for Independence Day! After I worked in my garden for a good little while last night, I decided to come inside and bake some goodies for my friends at work.
These are just my basic sugar cookies, frosted all in red, white and blue. I have a nested set of star cookie cutters that I've had forever, and I use them at Christmas and for the fourth of July. The rectangle cookies are just rolled out dough cut with a butcher knife.
The thing about cookies is that you can make them plain or fancy, depending on your mood.
My recipe comes from an old, old Betty Crocker cookbook. The page fell out of the book from so much use about twenty years ago, and I have manged to hang on to it, even if it has gotten a few splatters and spots over time. I think this recipe is still in the new version of Betty's cook books, and often times is called "Mary's Sugar Cookies". I thought I'd share it with you today in case you feel like baking up a batch to share..
Deluxe Sugar Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
granulated sugar
Mix together sugar and butter. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; mix well. Blend in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Cover and chill for 2 to 3 hours. Heat oven to 375 F. Divide dough in half. Roll each half 3/16 inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered board. Cut into desired shapes; sprinkle with granulated sugar. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light brown on edges.
Frosting
2 Boxes (About 8-9 cups, depending on how thick you want it) powdered sugar, sifted
1 Cup margarine or butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
dribbles of milk to consistency you like
Mix all ingredients together on high speed of mixer, Fill piping bags, and frost cookies. Pour yourself a big glass of milk and enjoy.
What a nice friend and co-worker you are! Your going to be pretty popular today...those cookies look delicious!!
Linda
Posted by: Linda | July 03, 2007 at 05:25 AM
Thank-you, so much for sharing the recipe -can't wait to try them :) Happy 4th of July to you :)
Posted by: Crystal | July 03, 2007 at 05:40 AM
I see a book in your future! Work in the yard and then bake cookies...please I beg of you share your energy secret!
Have a terrific 4th of July!
Posted by: Lucinda | July 03, 2007 at 05:46 AM
Mmmmm, its only 9:30am & I already want to eat about 4 of those!
Posted by: Kim | July 03, 2007 at 06:25 AM
Wow...you never cease to amaze me!!! You need to sell your secret for all of that energy. Work in the garden and then bake cookies??? Just two words..."Wonder Woman" ...LOL...Thank you for being a continuous source of inspiration. The cookies are absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: cindy | July 03, 2007 at 06:44 AM
um...can I come to work with you? It's bring your blog readers to work day, isn't it? Those look SOOO yummy and I LOVE how they're arranged on the tray in the 1st picture!!! Ah, summer.
Posted by: Jessica | July 03, 2007 at 07:07 AM
Those cookies look scrumptious!! Wish I worked with you! LOL! Happy 4th!
Posted by: Kris | July 03, 2007 at 07:22 AM
We are so much alike! I was going to make decorated sugar cookies to take to work today but it was just too hot in my home to bake last night!
I love how you did that to look like a flag! I was just going to make stars...you are so creative!
Posted by: cindy@my romantic home | July 03, 2007 at 07:39 AM
Yummmm, we will have to try it. Thank you xoxoxo Clarice
Posted by: clarice | July 03, 2007 at 08:05 AM
you know, you just do everything so well :)
it ought to be disheartening, but it actually gives me a kick in the rear to remember to make EveryDay a bit of an Event...sometimes :) (I haven't quite mastered getting it together on a regular basis :)
Posted by: Mrs G | July 03, 2007 at 08:13 AM
You are a really great friend!!
You coworkers will love it.
Beautiful cookies!
I have that same recipe too!
Have a Happy 4th!
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | July 03, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Wow -- do those ever look delicious. Next time, please give us warning, and post where you work so we can show up too! Yummm!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | July 03, 2007 at 02:12 PM
OK now I really feel lazy. Anytime it calls to get out the rolling pin I look for another recipe! Meals I love to make, rolling pins and a flour mess forget it!
Happy Fourth!
best,
Kathy
PS Thanks so much for answering my question about Portland.
Posted by: Kathleen | July 03, 2007 at 03:31 PM
You are a smart (cookie) He, He, love your ideas everyone of them I look forward every evening logging on to your site . keep inspireing me
Posted by: sharon Grant | July 03, 2007 at 04:25 PM
Your cookies look so good. They really look cute as the flag.
Posted by: Chris and Laurie | July 03, 2007 at 05:52 PM
Those are just tooooo cute! Happy 4th!
Carol
Posted by: Carol | July 04, 2007 at 11:01 AM
How much is a 'cube' of butter, please, Ma'am?
Posted by: Poppett | November 29, 2007 at 11:54 AM
How funny!! Your cookbook page looks exactly like mine - used and re-used, tattered and torn, and treasured above almost all other recipes!! Got it in the computer now so I can't lose it!
Posted by: judi b | June 24, 2008 at 07:37 AM