Recipes

Traditional Sugar Cookies

4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, OR fresh lemon juice and
grated zest of 2 lemons

• In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Set aside.
  
• Cream together butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs.
  
• Add vanilla OR lemon juice & zest.
  
• Add the flour mixture and mix on low until ingredients are combined.
  
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for about 30 minutes (until very cold).
  
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  
• On a floured surface, roll chilled dough out 1/8 inch thick.
• Cut into desired shapes.
• Transfer the cookies to cookie sheets. Silpat lined.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges of cookies just start to brown.
• Cool cookies 2 to 3 minutes on sheets then lift cookies and cool on wire racks.
  
• Cool completely; decorate as desired.
  
  

Traditional Gingerbread Cookies

6 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
4 teaspoons ground ginger
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves
1 ½ teaspoons salt
2 large eggs
1 cup molasses

• In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder.
• Set aside.
• Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Mix in spices, salt, then add eggs and molasses.
• Add flour mixture, combining into a smooth dough on low speed.
  
• Divided dough into thirds and wrap in plastic wrap.
• Chill for 1 hour.
  
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  
• On a floured work surface, roll dough out to 1/8 inch thick.
• Cut into desired shapes.
• Transfer to silpat lined baking sheet.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes until cookies are set but not dark. Cool on wire rack.

Royal Icing

1 pound powdered sugar, sifted
5 tablespoons meringue powder
½ cup (scant) warm water
1/8 teaspoon flavoring pure vanilla or other

• Beat all ingredients on medium speed until smooth.
• Thin with water, as needed.