coveted, frosted sugar cookies

I have hidden, sneaked, stuffed and murmured this recipe. I have not shared it. In fact, to this day I recall being asked for it and conveniently ‘forgetting’ the request. It is so good, such a shoo-in for hitting hero-like status—that one does not want to share the spotlight.

I made this recipe this Christmas for Santa, along with my kids who were decorating fiends, because the existing cookies we had made and stored in the freezer were simply, unequivocally, arguably, undeniably not good enough to leave with the sentimental glass of moo. No, in fact if gifts are being given, the cookies adorning the nearby plate should be heavenly, unsurpassed, the utmost and highest quality our kitchen can muster under late-night circumstances. And not just any cookie would do: it had to be our specifically shaped, soft buttery, melt-in-your-mouth lovingly-caressed-with-a-frosted-knife cookies.

The truth is, I couldn’t thoughtlessly pass along this treasured, well-hidden recipe without some namesake event. Not even blessing Santa was reason enough for me to share; but in the spirit of a New Year and the cumulation of a gift worthy of 365 days I give you this recipe to assist, bless and befriend you for 2007. This coveted, frosted sugar cookie recipe is my 2007 gift to you. It has been in hiding for over 15 years.

It should land in lunch boxes, make your children a star on their birthdays, find you new friends, party-crash any number of diets, ring in the next nearest celebration, buy you time at work, redeem you when needed, stand as a gift of love and/or buy you forgiveness. These cookies can be cut in hearts, cars, trucks and stars, and in the life of my children have been shaped into soccer balls, baseball and beach balls, Christmas trees, rockets and globes. We have formed stockings and pumpkins, sunshines, bats and easter eggs. Who gives frosted cookies anymore? They are such a scarce treat that even when I bring them to school, my boys’ friends eyes grow wide in utter amazement: “these, these are homemade?” and gobble them before you can sneeze. You would have thought I received the Pulizter or ran the iron man, they were that impressed.

These cookies will improve your standing in 2007. Santa loved them, my brothers love them, my boys love them, my friends love them, my sons’ friends adore them, and why shouldn’t they go weak in the knees? To you then, and hats off for all those resolutions going forward into 2007; herein lies the recipe to accompany your ongoing celebration of [all other] resolutions accomplished.

Frosted Sugar Cookies
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup softened butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond flavoring
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt

(Good to double). Cream butter and sugar, add next 3. Add dry mix, refrigerate 1 hour plus (overnight fine). Roll 1/8 inch thick, cut shapes, bake 375 for 7-8 minutes.

Frosting
1/4 cup softened butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
4 cups confectioners sugar
1/3 – 1/2 cup milk or cream
food coloring

Blend all, add desired amount of food coloring. Let cookies cool then frost.

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