Jill's Sugar Cookie Recipe

Jill's Sugar Cookies

Mix together:
1 cup butter (no substitutes)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix in 1 cup flour and 1 tsp. baking powder until blended.
Mix in 1 more cup flour and 1 more tsp. baking powder.
With wooden spoon, stir in 1 more cup of flour.

Refrigerate the dough until firm.
When ready to roll, set dough out for a few minutes to soften, then knead with hands until you can roll it with a rolling pin.
Cut out and bake at 350 until the edges *just* start to look golden brown. Usually ~8 minutes I think.

Favorite icing: Mix powdered sugar with a little milk, 1 tsp of corn syrup, and 1/2 tsp almond, and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Add milk and powdered sugar until the consistency is spreadable ~ a bit thicker than drizzle.

After icing cookies, add sprinkles and let dry. These package well!

My icing recipe:
In a small mixing bowl, combine 2 cups powdered sugar 4 tsp meringue powder, and 1/4 tsp cream of tartar. Stir in 1/4 cup warm water. Beat with an electric mixer on low until combined, then on high speed for 7-10 minutes or until very stiff. Add 1-2 Tbsp additional warm water, 1 tsp at a time, until icing is of glazing consistency.

It will continue to thin as you add food coloring (if you use liquid), so keep that in mind as you're adding the water. You want it thin, but not too thin or it will run off the edges on you.