Gingerbread Houses and Sugar Cookies

A yearly tradition in our family each Christmas is to get together and make gingerbread houses and sugar cookies.  I have a very artistic daughter, creative daughter-in-law and two fun grandchildren who come to my kitchen to have a day of fun. My job is to make the cookie dough and keep the frosting in supply.  We make a mess, but this grandmother loves a messy kitchen when fun is involved!  I am still cleaning up sprinkles from my kitchen floor three days later.  I make the same cookie dough I have for years....I call this recipe "My Kid's Favorite Sugar Cookies."  When I try to sneak in the store bought dough, when time is scarce, it is noticed.  

Decorated by...Jamie and Angela

Creations by Gage and Avery

Gingerbread Houses have been created a couple of different ways.  We have not ventured out as far as making our own gingerbread, rolling and cutting the shapes.  This year, we used the method I used in the fourth grade classroom for years...using school milk cartons.  I like this method best, because everyone gets to individualize their own gingerbread house.  

My Kid's Favorite Sugar Cookies

(Printable copy.)

Mix following 5 ingredients together:

1 cup  butter, softened

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

  

Blend in:

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tarter.

Cover and chill 2-3 hours.  

Heat oven to 375 degree F.  Divide dough in half.  Roll each half to about 1/4 thick on counter sprinkled with powdered sugar.  Cut into desired shapes and sprinkle with granulated sugar.  Place on baking sheet covered with parchment paper.  Bake 7 to 8 minutes, or until light brown on edges.  

Makes approximately 5 dozen cookies.

 I have way too many!  Many in my collection 

were my mother's and grandmother's 

cookie cutters.  I pick up cookie cutters at flea 

markets when I get the chance.  I'm always in

the search for new ones.

 See the gingerbread man...the green and

blue one?  That's Gage's interpretation.  

Love both little men!

See the star with all the sprinkles? 

That's Avery using too many sprinkles.

Avery's star with Christmas Nerds.  I think

Santa got this special cookie.

 Artistic and Creative