Christmas is approaching, and with it comes one of my favorite traditions: baking day with the family.
As a little girl, I eagerly awaited the moment when the enchanting aroma of Christmas sweets would waft from Grandma’s kitchen. I loved the warmth of the kitchen, the festive decorations, and the laughter that echoed off the walls as we baked together. The scent of cinnamon and sugar filled you with warmth and excitement. Nothing was better than gathering with the family for an old-fashioned holiday baking day. The room’s laughter and the oven’s warmth made everything so cozy on a cold Minnesota day.
Granny Ava always bustled about, humming a festive tune as she measured ingredients and prepared the dough for their famous Christmas cookies. The first batch was always rolled out and cut with a drinking glass. The way her granny did when she was a child. Then, we were able to create and cut our trees and snowflakes. We each made and reserved our own sugar cookies to decorate and eat. The kitchen was a symphony of colors, with sprinkles, frosting, and an assortment of bright and festive candies waiting to adorn the sweet treats they would create. Granny Ava taught us the secrets of the perfect cookie dough, the art of rolling it out just right, and the joy of cutting out festive shapes with cookie cutters. As we worked, Granny Delilah shared stories of Christmases past, filling the kitchen with tales of happiness, wonder, and timeless traditions.
Time disappeared as my cousins and I laughed, shared memories, and created sugary masterpieces. Soon, the kitchen was filled with trays of cookies, each a work of art adorned with colorful icing and sparkling sugar. The sweet aroma of freshly baked treats filled the air, wrapping us in a comforting hug of holiday cheer. Little did we know we were baking up a timeless tradition of sweet memories
Today I share this tradition with my daughter and mother. Grandma Ava is with us in memory. Please enjoy our family Sugar Cookie Recipe perfected over generations.
Grandma Ava’s Sugar Cookies
4 Cups All Purpose Flour
¾ teaspoon of Salt
¾ teaspoon Baking Powder
1 Cup (2sticks) Butter
1 Cup Sugar
2 Large Eggs
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
- Mix the flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl; set the mixture aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Once combined, slowly blend in the dry ingredients until evenly mixed.
- Separate dough into tablespoon-sized balls.
- Place onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Place on the center rack and bake for 5 to 7 minutes (or until golden brown). Let the cookies sit on wire racks for 2 minutes before cooling.
