Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

A Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe that's a throwback to the good old days! This classic sugar cookie rivals any contemporary recipe.

The traditional ingredients are all there - butter, sugar and flour - but what sets these apart is the spices. Nutmeg and cloves work their aromatic magic as the cookies bake.

A dusting of sugar just before they go into the oven melts into the dough.

Roll the dough out and cut it into your favorite shapes or form it into balls - these cookies have a unique flavor and texture that you really need to experience.

Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar, plus extra for topping
1 cup shortening or unsalted butter, softened
3 large eggs, very well beaten
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons water or milk

Preheat the oven to 425F.

Cream the shortening or butter and the 2 cups of sugar until it is light and fluffy. Mix in the beaten eggs.

Whisk together the baking powder and 1 cup of flour. Beat this mixture into the eggs and sugar. When it is well combined, add the water or milk and the ground nutmeg and ground cloves.

Gradually add the remaining flour, working it in until you have a stiff dough.

Lightly flour a work surface. Form the dough into a ball and roll it out to a thickness of 1/4-inch.

Cut the dough with floured cutters into your favorite shapes. Lightly sprinkle each cookie with a little granulated sugar and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake the cookies in the hot oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch them carefully, they should be just browned on the bottom and lightly golden on top. Remove them to wire racks to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Food For Thought - Add a hint of color to the sugar used for garnish. A few drops of red or green are perfect for holiday parties and gift giving.

Good To Know - You can also make 1-inch balls from the dough and lightly flatten them before baking. They may take a little longer to bake since they are thicker.

You Might Need:

• Kitchen Supply Aluminum Half Size Sheet Pan 18-inch by 13-inch

• Calphalon 12-by-17-Inch Rectangular Nonstick Cooling Rack

• Silpat 11-5/8-by-16-1/2-Inch Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat

• Oxo Good Grips Cookie Scoop