Nana Vivian's Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Nana's Christmas cookies — we still cut them with her dented old star cutter.

  • Makes~24
  • Prep30 min
  • Chill1 hr
  • Bake10 min

What you’ll need

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • Icing & sprinkles to decorate

How to make it

  1. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
  3. Add the flour mixture and mix just until a dough forms.
  4. Split in two, flatten into discs, wrap, and chill 1 hour.
  5. Roll out 1/4 inch thick on a floured counter and cut out shapes.
  6. Bake on lined sheets at 350°F for 8–10 min, until set but not browned.
  7. Cool completely before icing.
Nana says Don't overbake — they should stay pale. A browned sugar cookie is a sad sugar cookie.

Jenny’s notes

Nana's Christmas cookies. Cousin Linda and her kids make a batch every year now. Chill the dough or you'll spend the afternoon chasing it around the counter — I learned that one the hard way.

— J.