How to make: Grandma Meyers Sugar Cookies

Today we are going to make sugar cookies.  Not just any ordinary sugar cookie, Grandma Meyers Sugar Cookies!

Look at these beauties!

I have no idea where this recipe actually came from, if my grandma made it up or got it from somewhere else.  Either way, this recipe has been in our family for a long time.  While the eggnog cookies I made before tasted like Christmas, these cookies feel like Christmas.  For as long as I can remember, we've made these cookies as a family during the holiday season, and it continues to this day.  My sister normally makes the cookies for the family, but I try to make them each year, even if it's just a small batch for Andy and me.  

This recipe is so good, I have TWO copies of it!  

Gather your ingredients...

Grandma Meyers Sugar Cookies
(1/2 recipe, makes 3 dozen cookies)

1 cup sugar
1 cup shortening
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 cups flour


Begin by mixing your sugar and shortening with an electric mixer.

Add your egg:

Add your vanilla and milk:

Combine all your dry ingredients separately and then add to the wet mixture slowly until all combined:

At this point, you may want to chill your dough for an hour or two or overnight.  I normally am not patient for this and keep going (which is ok), but the dough will be easier to work with if it's chilled.  When you're ready, turn your dough out onto a floured surface:

Roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thick, and start cutting with cute cookies cutters!

Place cookies on a greased cookie sheet.  I've been using this silicone baking surface lately.  If you use one of these, you do not need to grease the surface.

Bake for 4-7 minutes in a 425 degree oven.  You'll want to take extra care to watch these cookies while they cook.  They will burn very easily, depending on the exact temperature of your oven and the time they are left in.  You'll want to take them out when you see the edges just starting to brown.

The finished product!

Now you're ready to frost.  I make my frosting out of confectioner's sugar and water with a few drops of food coloring.

Serve with a cup of eggnog and enjoy!

If you liked this let me know in the comments!  And don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

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How to make: Festive Thanksgiving Pumpkin Muffins

So I've had this gigantic can of pumpkin in my pantry for a while now...  I guess I thought I'd make pumpkin pies at some point, but since I usually travel to Michigan for holiday family functions, I haven't been able to make any!  I mean, I GUESS I could make a couple pies for just me and the husband, but then I'd have to eat the whole thing.  WAIT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?!

Regardless, I haven't used it, so I decided to whip up some festive pumpkin muffins instead so I could eat ALL of those!!

Now gather your ingredients:
1 3/4 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 egg
1/4 cup oil
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup to 3/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla


Mix dry ingredients together, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, & pumpkin pie spice:

In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients together, egg, oil, pumpkin, milk:

Make a well in the dry ingredients and then pour the wet mixture in:

Mix until just combined:

 Spoon batter into greased muffin cups (makes 12):

Bake at 375° for ~15-17 minutes, or until an inserted knife comes away clean:

Now, here's the big dilemma:  EAT NOW or make frosting?!  Your choice!  If you feel up to the task, here's how to make cream cheese frosting which will make these muffins taste out of this world.

Gather your ingredients:

Cream Cheese Frosting (adapted from Simply Recipes)
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick unsalted) at room temperature
4 oz cream cheese 
1 to 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• With an electric mixer, mix the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes on medium speed until very smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
• Add the vanilla extract and mix. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep adding until you get to desired sweetness and thickness.
• Either spread on with a blunt knife or spatula, or spoon into a piping bag to decorate your cake or cupcake.

LET'S DO THIS:

Ohhh yes!  So delicious!  Try this out yourself!

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