Sugar Cookies

I've been feeling rather bummed lately because I know I won't be home for the holidays this year and when I realized I would miss all the baking for Thanksgiving and possibly Christmas, I decided to have Christmas in July. One thing that is a tradition in my family, dated back to when I was a kid, is making sugar cookies. We usually would cut them into little snowman and candy cane shapes and decorate them with gobs of frosting, usually causing diabetic shock to anyone who dared eat one, but considering it is July, I decided to just go with a basic round cookie this time.

My mom also used to bake Russian Tea Cakes with us as little girls, but I think I will save that one for December, even if it ends up being after Christmas.

Cookies

The gang's all here!

Ingredients:
4 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 c. olive oil
1 c. granulated sugar
1 c. powdered sugar
1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs

Step one: Cut a hole in the . . . oh wait sorry wrong recipe. Whisk the flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar together in a  large bowl.

It looks like snow!

In separate bowl, combine oil, sugars, and butter and mix together until creamy.

Why does it look pink? Weird...

Continue mixing and add vanilla and eggs one at a time until an even consistency is reached.

They're like little snowballs!

Gradually add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Roll tablespoon sized balls in granulated sugar.

Sam shows which one he intends on eating

Ready for the oven

Place sugar-coated dough on an ungreased cookie sheet, pressing down slightly on them. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until light and fluffy and delicious looking.

Extreme Close Up!

Cookie Jar from the Heavens

Here are a few other pictures that I felt needed to make it into this blog. The left one just 'cause its an extreme close up and the right one 'cause these all went straight into our cookie jar. Hey, I gotta have some kind of a bribe to get my kids to clean the house and do what I want right? Not all of my baked goods can make it to work. Don't you guys worry though, I intend to bake again tomorrow and bring those goodies in. These ones will have to stay home for now. Hope this basic recipe finds its way to your kitchens and bellies and (cue cheesy moment) hearts