Reply #54: I found the best sugar cookie recipe

[trueblue2007]

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cookies/sparkle-trees/

the cookies are sooooooooooo pretty. bet your husband would love them

Sparkle Trees


Makes: 16 to 28 servings


Yield: 16 (6-inch) or 28 (4-inch) cookies
Prep: 50 mins
Chill: 1 hr
Bake: 350°F 12 mins

Ingredients

1 1/2
cups butter, softened
1 1/3
cups powdered sugar
1/4
teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 recipe Powdered Sugar Icing
Green colored sugar
Candied red cherries, sliced


Directions

1. In large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high speed 30 seconds. Add powdered sugar and salt; beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl. Beat in vanilla. Add flour; beat until dough comes together. Wrap and chill dough 1 hour or until easy to handle.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Divide dough in half. On lightly floured surface, roll one half of dough at a time to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut dough with 4- to 6-inch tree-shape cutters. Place cutouts 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheets 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack; cool completely.

3. Brush cookies with strokes of Powdered Sugar Icing; sprinkle with green sugar. Add cherry slice to top. Makes 16 (6-inch) or 28 (4-inch) cookies.

From the Test Kitchen
•Storage Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days; freeze up to 3 months.
•Note Nutrition facts are given for each 6-inch cookie.
Powdered Sugar Icing


Yield: 1 cup Ingredients

3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 - 3 tablespoons milk
Directions

Stir together powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to make thin icing. Refrigerate icing up to 1 week. Let come to room temperature; if necessary, thin with few drops milk. Makes about 1 cup.

Nutrition Facts (Sparkle Trees)
Servings Per Recipe 16,Calories 380,Protein (gm) 1,Carbohydrate (gm) 54,Fat, total (gm) 18,Cholesterol (mg) 46,Saturated fat (gm) 11,Monosaturated fat (gm) 5,Polyunsaturated fat (gm) 1,Dietary Fiber, total (gm) 1,Sugar, total (gm) 35,Vitamin A (IU) 534,Vitamin C (mg) 7,Sodium (mg) 162,Calcium (DV %) 10,Iron (DV %) 1,Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet