Valentines Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies

February is here and I have to say that is one of my favorite month of the year as is December and July because they are the months when my babies were born.  Ana was born February 11, 1999 so she is turning 13.  I know the BIG "13", she reminds me of it everyday for the past 2 weeks.  She is a fire cracker she has such a great personality and great qualities of a leadership.  She is a miniature Donna Summer look alike.  Since February is her month her favorite cookies are sugar cookies, so she asked for heart shaped sugar cookies for her birthday party.  I have to say that I have tried many recipes of sugar cookies and I finally found one that I truly love from The Martha Stewart Cook Book/Collected Recipes for Every Day.

This is Ana my new Teenager to be

Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 Ts salt

1/2 Ts baking powder

1/4 Lb (1 Stick) butter, softened ( I used unsalted)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

2 Tb brandy

1/2 Ts vanilla extract

Preparation:

1. Sift together the dry ingredients.

2. In an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light.

3. Add egg, brandy and vanilla and beat well.

4. Add the dry ingredients a little at a time and mix until well blended.

5. Wrap and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling.

6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
7. On a lightly floured board, roll out 1/3 of the dough at a time.
8. Roll to 1/8 inch thick and cut out with cookie cutters.
9. Put shapes on parchment-lined cookie sheets and bake for 10 min. ( Do not allow to brown, I left them for 8 min)

10. Cool on racks.
11. Decorate with Royal Icing.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did.
Enjoy!!!