Sugar Cookies

No one does it better than Betty Crocker for cut-out cookies!

SUGAR COOKIES
1.5 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
2.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Granulated sugar
Sprinkles and frosting, if desired

• Mix powdered sugar, margarine, vanilla, almond extract and egg. Stir in remaining ingredients except granulated sugar. 
• Cover and refrigerate at least two hours.
• Heat oven to 375-degrees.  Grease cookie sheet lightly (I used parchment paper).  
• Divide dough in half. Roll each half 1/4-inch thick on lightly floured surface. 
• Cut into desired shapes with 2-2.5" cookie cutters. Sprinkle with granulated sugar (or use colored sugar to decorate). Leave plain to frost cookies after they are cooled.
• Place on cookie sheet. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until edges are light brown; cool.

YIELD: about 5 dozen cookies

SOURCE: Betty Crocker's 40th Anniversary Edition Cookbook, page 121

Owen and I used this recipe to make 86 decorated cookies for his First Grade Valentine Party.