credit: theartofthecookie.com

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – baking season! Someone just told me that calories don’t count during December, and I’m going to go ahead and believe them, and indulge in as much chocolate, pie, cheese, wine, and think, hearty meals as my belly will allow. But the thing I’m looking forward to the most is cookies. From snickerdoodles to Santa’s whiskers, this time of year brings out the inner child in all of us. And for those of us with actual children in our homes, making cookies can be a great way to spend a chilly afternoon – you get a little lesson in math and baking, time together, and you end up with a delicious treat!

credit: worthpinning.com

I found a few adorable sugar cookie ideas online, but you should see these as a starting-off point; I really don’t think that you can decorate cookies wrong, and the more creative ones always seem to be the most charming.

My favorite rolled sugar cookie recipe is as simple as can be. You need 1 1/2 cups softened butter, 2 cups white sugar, 4 eggs, 1tsp vanilla extract, 2tsp baking powder, and 1tsp salt.

1. Beat the butter and sugar until its smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least an hour.
2. Take the dough out of the fridge, and roll out on a floured surface, cut into shapes, and bake for 6-8 minutes at 400 degrees.
3. Cool completely and decorate