Smooth Sailing Sugar Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 5 min./batch + cooling

Makes

about 4 dozen

Updated: Oct. 20, 2022
With a fresh breeze, my longtime-favorite sugar cookie recipe got under way on a new track. I cut out sailboats and frisky fish, frosting them brightly for the nautical gathering. My guests ate their limit! -Martha Conaway, Pataskala, Ohio

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
  • Food coloring, optional

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, milk and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with cookie cutters of your choice. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 5-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, extract, salt and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Add food coloring if desired. Frost cookies; decorate as desired.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 172 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 172mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.