Awesome Rolled Sugar Cookies
2 cups of white granulated sugar
1 �½ cups of butter, softened
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
4 eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
5 cups all-purpose flour
About 30 minutes before beginning, set out the butter and eggs so that the butter can soften and the eggs can come up to room temperature.
Next, in a large bowl, cream together the sugar and the butter until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. Once this consistency is achieved, then beat in the vanilla and eggs. Mix well. Now add in the flour, salt and baking powder until it is well mixed. Place the cookie dough in the refrigerator to chill for a minimum of one hour or up to overnight.
When you are ready to make the cookies, begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Next, prepare a floured surface for rolling out the cookie dough. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough on the floured surface until it is �¼ to �½ inch thick, depending on personal preference. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Gently lift up the cookie shapes and place these on an ungreased cookie sheet approximately 1 inch apart to allow for the spreading of the cookies as they bake.
Bake the sugar cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before lifting off of the cookie sheet. Once cooled, decorate the sugar cookies using frosting, and other decorating items such as sprinkles and colored sugars.
