Chanukah Sugar Cookies

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I had a lot of time with my granddaughters this year before Chanukah, and they told me in no uncertain terms that they wanted to make and decorate cookies more than any other activity while they were visiting. My grand niece Brenna visited and helped decorate as well. I was very happy to oblige them as they are all endlessly creative with their decorating and both granddaughters are becoming quite competent cooks and bakers if I can just get them to understand fractional measurements. Baking is a great incentive for them to learn their math.

These cookies have been in the family for many years and are tender, buttery, delicious, and easy to roll and cut, especially if you use a well-floured pastry cloth and stockinette-covered rolling pin. I think the girls did an amazing job this year.

Chanukah Sugar Cookies

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1-1/2 cups unsalted butter
• 2 extra-large eggs
• 2 tsp. lemon extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• non-stick cooking spray
  
• sugar, decors and food-color markers for decorating
  

Cream sugars and butter until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs, one at a time.

Add lemon extract, buttermilk and baking soda and beat well.

Sift together flour and baking powder; add to other ingredients. Mix until well blended.

Wrap in a thick disc shape in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to make cookies, divide dough into two or three portions, keeping refrigerated those portions not being worked.

Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use Chanukah forms to shape cookies.

Place carefully on non-stick spray greased pan. Push leftover dough scraps together and continue to roll and cut until all the dough has been used up.

Sprinkle with sugar, colored sugar or press in sugar decors. Alternatively, bake plain and decorate with royal icing and sugar, or sugar decors, or food color markers.

Bake at 375°F. for 6 to 8 minutes in a convection oven, or 8-10 minutes in a conventional oven.

These freeze well even when glazed with royal icing and food color designs.

Makes 60-100 cookies depending on the size of the cookie cutters.