Best Sugar Cookies Ever!

It’s late at night and you have a craving for a sweet treat.  You go to your kitchen and you search  high and low…but you find no instant gratification in either your refrigerator or your pantry.  Well, if you have just five simple ingredients, just a little patience and an oven, you can have delicious, homemade, fresh sugar cookies in less than a half hour…less time than it takes to drive to the nearest convenience or grocery store.  

This is all you need: one half cup of softened butter, one half cup of sugar, one teaspoon of vanilla or vanilla extract, one large egg yolk (set white aside), and one cup of flour.  First, however, you will want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Then, in a large bowl, combine ingredients in mixer bowl until blended.  Then, shape the dough into small balls (you can use a small teaspoon…but using your hands is more fun!!)  and place on an ungreased cookie sheet about an inch or two apart.  (Parchment paper works really well if you have it on hand..it will save you the hassle of stuck cookies and clean up later!)  Then, beat your reserved egg white lightly with a fork, dip a fork into the egg white and lightly press each cookie with the fork tines.  Sprinkle your cookies with additional sugar.  

Bake eight to ten minutes at 350F. Make sure that the cookies are a light golden brown.  Let your cookies cool on the cookie sheet for about one minute; loosen the cookies with a spatula and then remove them to a cooling rack to cool completely.  Try to resist the urge to taste them when they are still warm..you could burn yourself and then you won’t enjoy your cookies at all!

In case you aren’t able to enjoy all of your cookies in one sitting, you will need to package your sugar cookies for your next sweets craving.  The best way to preserve your cookies is to place them in an airtight container or a plastic zipper bag.  If stored properly, they will be good for at least a week, if not two weeks.  If you want to save them for longer than a few weeks, put your cookies in a freezer bag (make sure it is closed tight!) and put them in the freezer.  You can then enjoy your cookies one a time…just pop one or two in a microwave on defrost when you are ready for a warm treat.  Enjoy your defrosted cookies with ice cream (if you finally restocked your ready to eat sweet treats!) and cinnamon, hot fudge, or caramel.

If you have extra sugar cookies, you can also spread the love by giving them to neighbors, family and friends. A little homemade gift of sugar cookies is just the thing to warm hearts and put smiles on faces.  Try wrapping them in colored saran wrap for a festive look, or find a decorative box in which to present your cookies.  

Looking for a charming gift? Visit www.sugarbabycookies.com for delicious, hand-decorated gourmet cookies . Sugarbaby Cookies Co. offers hand-made charming cookies in chic packaging delivered to your door.