The most amazing and simple sugar cookie, ever! Shoot, make some green frosting and do a batch for St. Patrick’s Day. Why not?

We made half our batch with fresh lemon juice and they were super yummo. You can do so much with these. It really is a great base for a cookie. For now, let’s stick with the basics though. Enjoy!

Simple Sugar Cookies:

2 cups all-purpose flour – .50
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened – 1.00
3/4 cup sugar (substitute brown sugar for chocolate chip cookies) – .40
1 large egg – .13
1 tsp vanilla – pantry
1/2 tsp baking powder – pantry
1/2 tsp salt – pantry

COST: $2.03

Whisk or sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Set aside.

Beat softened butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer at medium-high to high speed, making sure sugar is well incorporated and mixture is nice and fluffy. If using a handheld mixer, this may take about 6 minutes. Next, beat in egg and vanilla, reducing speed to low. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined. I prefer to do this by hand if using a handheld mixer. You’ll have more control. If you have a commercial mixer, it’s ok to use it, just don’t over mix.

Roll dough into a 12 inch logs, about 2 inches in diameter and seal with plastic wrap. Chill dough until firm, at least 3-4 hours. If you’re in a hurry, you can toss in freezer for 15 mins and then in fridge for 1 hour.

When ready to cook, preheat oven to 375°F.

Cut 1/4 inch thick slices away from log with a heavy, chilled knife and place on ungreased cookie/baking sheets. Leave about 1 inch gap between cookies.

Bake cookies until edges are golden, 10 to 12 mins, depending on thickness. Cool for 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack or plate.

Let the kiddos decorate!

I let the kids drizzle melted chocolate as their topping/decoration.

Just microwave semi-sweet chocolate chips on low, until melted. Add just a dash of canola oil. Mix with spoon and place in plastic sandwich baggie.

Snip a corner and squeeze out melted chocolate.  Drizzle, makes faces, whatever you choose.

Oh what fun!!!

Lemon Version:

Just add 3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 1 Tbsp lemon zest to mixture before adding dry ingredients. Bake as directed.

You can sprinkle with powdered sugar or even make a simple glaze. We ate ours plain. They didn’t need a thing!  Well, maybe a tall glass of milk or hot cup of tea.  By the way, if you drizzle with chocolate, you may want them to set for 30 mins or chill, just till chocolate hardens.

GRAND TOTAL: $2.03