Sweets in the New Year

The holidays are a great time to forgive yourself for a little excess sugar and butter in your diet. Within reason and balance of course, but life is too short to beat yourself up for indulging in those special times. I consider a new years spent with good friends and good food one of those times. 

I've tried a handful of sugar cookie recipes but this one was my favorite hands down. My friends seemed to enjoy them too. So much so I only got to grab one! Ah well, maybe that's a good enough excuse to make them again?

Ingredients: 

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1  egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For icing:

Betty Crocker Cookie Icing (white, green, whatever color you prefer)

Directions:

• In a large bowl using a  mixer, beat the butter until creamed and smooth (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and beat on high until light and fluffy (about 3 or 4 minutes). Add the egg and vanilla and beat on high until fully combined. 
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Turn the mixer down to low and add about half of the flour mixture. Add the rest of the flour and continue mixing until combined. 
• Roll the dough out onto a piece of parchment on a baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day. Chilling is necessary.
• Once chilled, preheat oven to 350F degrees. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and using a cookie cutter, cut in shapes. I didn't have a cookie cutter so I used the end of a glass. Transfer the cut cookie dough to a baking sheet. Re-roll the remaining dough and continue cutting until all is used.
• Bake for 9-12 minutes. Allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before icing.
• Decorate cookies with icing. 

Appealing to the eye and tummy. These festive treats were a hit at my friends' new year party. 

Recipe inspired by: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/12/01/holiday-cut-out-sugar-cookies-with-easy-icing/