At this very moment I feel like such a failure!! Maybe everyone has those periods where it seems like nothing comes out right. Some things come out ok, but nothing lately seems to live up to my expectations, least of all my sugar cookies.

Yes sugar cookies!! How hard can they be?? They're sugar cookies for pete sake. I've used the same recipe 3 times: the first time I had to use margarine because I was out of butter, but I wanted to try the recipe. They were ok, but not great because they lacked that buttery flavor & were a bit hard. Second time they came out great..they spread quit a bit at first, so I rolled them thinner & chilled the cutout cookies more before putting them in the oven. That did the trick!! Well this time They seem to have waaaay too much butter because they soften up VERY quickly. I rolled the dough, chilled it & before I could get the cookies cut out & on the cookie sheet the dough was too soft to work with again. And the ones I did manage to cut out & get onto the cookie sheet, well they puffed up & spread out ALOT. Not to mention they looked like they had little holes all in the top like the dough had air in it..which I totally can't figure out.

This is the recipe I've been trying to use from Martha Stewart:
http://marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=recipe1266&search=true&resultNo=3

Ugh maybe I just need to try a different recipe

Don't feel bad. We ALL have trouble every now and then!

I have a great recipe for sugar cookies, if you'd like it. The recipe is from a popular bakery in my area that closed when the couple who owned it retired. A friend of mine had known the family FOREVER and she shared their recipe with me.

I have always had great luck with this recipe. In fact, the cookies are so good that my family tends to eat them before they are completely cooled or iced!

That would be great if it's not too much trouble Thank you so much..for offering the recipe & for the encouraging words..I definitely need those when I'm feeling frustrated..and a great recipe helps too lol

Could I have the recipe too, PLEASE.

[email protected]

Thanks,
Melissa

Me, too, if its not too much trouble, please? pamr40@yahoo

Here's a link to the cookie recipe I have been using. It turns out great every time. http://ww5.bhg.com/bhg/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/bhg/story/data/15281.xml

I add a little almond extract to add flavor.

I like the recipe for No-Fail Sugar Cookies. Found here... http://www.kitchengifts.com/nofailsugarcookies.html. This site also has great instructions on how to roll, decorate, etc. http://kitchengifts.com/learn.html.
Good luck!

I'll just post the recipe here for all of you!

Mike's Market Sugar Cookies

4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. shortening (I use Crisco)
1 heaping cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs, well beaten
1/3 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix flour, baking powder, salt & shortening with a fork or pastry blender. In another bowl mix together sugar, baking soda, eggs, milk & vanilla. Pour sugar mixture into flour mixture & mix together until smooth (I usually mix with my hands! ) Divide dough into quarters. Roll on a surface that has been dusted with powdered sugar (this is the secret -- gives better flavor than a floured surface). DO NOT ROLL TOO THIN. Cut with cookie cutters or roll into balls and flatten with a fork.

Bake @ 375 for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

Questions at any time - email me! [email protected]

I also use the recipe from kitchengifts.com for sugar cookies as well as royal icing. My husband has disliked royal icing decorated sugar cookies in the past because they were too hard or crunchy, but he loves these. They are nice and soft and keep their shape.

Don't feel bad. Maybe it's just the recipe. : ) Also finding a recipe that doesn't spread is one of the secrets. : )


Do you roll the dough out between sheets of parchment paper? Then just cut the cookies out leaving enough room between them, remove the excess and then bake directly on that parchment paper without having to lift them?


Try again with a different recipe. : )

I like to roll the dough out, about 1/4" thick, cut the shapes, freeze the WHOLE thing on a baking tray for 15 minutes...then simply slide your hand underneath parchment/baking mat and POP them out...perfectly shaped and ready for the oven.

They actually bake much better slightly frozen, never lose their shape and you don't have to pick them apart from all the scraps.

I swear by the No-Fail recipe from www.kitchengifts.com too. It's the best I've ever used...but don't substitute margarine for butter.

Thanks for the recipes..after looking at all the ones you all have recommended compared to the recipe I was using, I'm sure they are much easier to work with. The recipe I was using called for 2 sticks of butter & 4 cups of flour..that seems like quite a bit of butter for that amount of flour, atleast in comparison with the other recipes.

Anybody had any luck with the rolled chocolate cookie recipe on the www.kitchengifts.com website?? I'm thinking of trying those out.

I now use the no-fail sugar cookies at kitchengifts.com, too. I use half brown sugar for a little extra flavor. I used to have such a hard time making sugar cookies that I just gave up.

Also, for the rolled chocolate cookies, check out Antonia74's photos - the blue & green alphabet cookies were made with that recipe from the same site.

ooh thanx Ali, I remember seeing the photos of those cookies & they look wonderful.

Thanks!!