Sugar cookies - there's no limit!

Yum! Easy and versatile, basic sugar cookie dough can create any number of different cookie combinations. All it takes is different ingredients and presto! you've got the makings of a beautiful cookie gift box.

Basic Sugar Cookie Dough

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, leveled
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1 cup of room temperature butter
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Whisk together and flour, baking soda and salt
• Beat the butter and sugar until smooth, add the egg and beat until fluffy (for about 2 minutes), add the vanilla
• With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients until just mixed
• Shape stiff dough into a disc and refrigerate for at least an hour, for as long as three days
• Bake at 350 degrees on parchment for about 15 minutes
• Makes about 40 cookies

Now is the fun part - divide the dough into batches and add stuff to make them different! Shredded coconut, pieces of dark chocolate, pretty sprinkles, candied orange peel, almonds, dried cranberries or cherries, pecans... make different shapes and thicknesses using cookie cutters and then try lots of different approaches to decorating them: sandwich them with raspberry jam, partially dip them in chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes, add some white icing and silver balls... there's no limit! Pretty, easy, versatile and totally seasonal, sugar cookies are a staple for the holidays.