Sugar Cookies

Here's my favorite traditional sugar cookie recipe, the kind you cut out and ice.  Just made some for a halloween party and forgot to factor in the fact that they will expand in the oven.  I bought a cookie cutter the size I wanted to cookies to be and they turned in to mega-cookies!  Oh well, still yummy.

Sugar Cookies

Cream together:
1 1/3 C. butter, softened
2 C. sugar

Add:
4 large eggs

Dissolve together:
2 t. baking soda
1/2 C. milk
2 t. vanilla
Add this to the butter mixture and mix well.

Add:
8 C. flour
1/2 t. salt
Mix well.

Chill dough at least 1/2 hour.  I like to divide in two and wrap in plastic, flattening into disks - makes it easier to roll out.  Roll out on a lightly floured surface or between two sheets of plastic wrap.  Cut out.  I like them nice and thick so I roll them out to a little under 1/2".  If you like them thinner, you will get more cookies that way.

Bake on an ungreased pan for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees or until they just start to crack.  I like mine on the softer side so I don't let them brown much at all.  Cool completely.  Frost.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 T. milk
1 t. vanilla
4 C. powdered sugar
food coloring (opt.)

Beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add milk and vanilla and beat until smooth.  Add sugar and mix until well blended.  Add food coloring.

*Note:  I've also just shaped the dough into a log and chilled until solid.  Then I sliced them and froze them.  When I wanted fresh cookies I'd just take out and let sit on a cookie tray for a little bit and bake as above.