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Traditional Sugar Cookies

Old-fashioned Sugar Cookies

Simple, classic Old-fashioned Sugar Cookies are perfect for the cookie jar and the dough is perfect for making cut-out cookies in any shape desired.
Course Cookies
Keyword cookies,, sugar cookies
My Island Bistro Kitchen Barbara99

Ingredients

  • seeds from 1/2 vanilla bean
  • 1 cup butter (no substitutes), softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¼ cup milk, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp cardamom
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Using the tip of a sharp knife, split open the vanilla bean lengthwise. Using the edge of the knife blade, scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean. Set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Add milk, vanilla, and vanilla bean seeds. Beat just until combined.
  3. In separate bowl, sift or sieve flour, cream of tartar, soda, salt, cardamon, and nutmeg. Add to liquid ingredients and stir just until flour mixture is combined with liquid ingredients.
  4. Chill dough for 1-2 hours.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. On floured surface, gather dough together and roll out dough to a scant ¼" thickness. Cut into desired shapes.
  7. Decorate with raisins and/or sprinkle of sugar, if desired.
  8. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing cookies about 1½" apart. Chill cookies in refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Remove and bake for 8-10 minutes. Immediately transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.

Recipe Notes

Makes about 3 dozen - 2 5/8" cookies. Yield will vary depending on size of cookie cutters used.

Store cookies in an airtight container and keep at room temperature for up to 5 days or store in freezer for longer storage.