Best sugar cookie recipe...?

[mommy2be]

I'm looking for a great sugar cookie recipe!

 

Most homemade sugar cookies turn out hard and crunchy, I want a soft sugar cookie that I can still use cookie cutters with.

 

Do you have a good recipe for a soft sugar cookie?

 

I plan to use cutters and colored royal icing. Please feel free to share your icing recipe too.

 

Thanks in advance ladies!

[Krista in LA]

I just made these today and they turned out great.

 

1 C shortening (I used butter)

2 C sugar

4 eggs well beaten

2 T. milk

5 C sifted flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

 

Cream shortening and sugar together and beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and milk and beat well. Add sifted dry ingredients. Mix well. Shape into a mound and chill thoroughly. Roll dough on lightly floured board until 1/4 inch thick and cut. (I had to add a little more flour to the dough) Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet at 375 for 7-10 minutes.

[Sharon H in IL]

I tried the Cook's Illustrated master cookie recipe, but it simply wasn't as good as good old Betty Crocker.

 

Thus, here it is in all its glory. Use butter rather than margarine, roll the dough out thickly, and underbake rather than overbake. Mah-vuh-lus.

 

Betty Crocker Sugar Cookies

 

1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup margarine or butter, softened

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 and 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Granulated sugar

 

Mix powdered sugar, margarine, egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Heat oven to 375. Divide dough into halves. Roll each half 3/16ths [who the heck measures like this?] thick on lightly floured cloth-covered board. Cut into shapes.

 

Sprinkle with granulated sugar; place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake until edges are light brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Makes about 5 dozen 2-inch cookies.