Sugar Cookies

These cookies were an Easter treat this year, but they are good all year round.  We used to have cookie parties with lots of kids over to make them, rolling and cutting, generally having a good time and eating the mixture raw. This year I iced them and had some help decorating them. hey They looked lovely on the table, but I prefer them just dusted with icing sugar when they are warm. They are delicious with a cup of coffee or tea.





 Sugar cookies are very easy to make. I would recommend that you make the whole recipe and freeze half. Then you can make them again when you want them in a hurry.  The dough thaws out very quickly.

Ingredients

3 cups plain flour (Use a coffee mug if you don't have a measuring cup)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

a pinch of salt

1 cup (8 oz) butter (Don't be tempted to use margarine  The butter is what makes them delicious.)

2 eggs

1 cup sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Grated rind of one lemon

How to make them

Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Cut in butter until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.

In another bowl, beat eggs, add sugar and beat thoroughly.  

Add vanilla and lemon rind.

Blend egg mixture into the flour mixture.

Chill dough for 1 hour or more.

Roll out to 1/8 inch thickness on a floured board.

Use parchment to line baking sheets.

Cut out shapes and carefully put them on the baking sheets.

Bake 6 - 8 minutes at 190 degrees centigrade until very lightly browned.

Put on a wire rack to cool and dust with icing sugar 

OR

When cool, decorate with icing.

Dusted with icing sugar.  Yummy.