By Catherina Carucci

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”  Luke 2:13-14

The Holiday season is a time of reflection, celebration, traditions, and joy but can also become a recipe for stress with the demands of shopping, decorating, cooking, entertaining, and even family. To avoid the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I try to do my shopping early in November and throughout the year by picking up “treasures” from the clearance tables. One of our favorite things to do as a family during the holidays is baking. I just love the comforting aroma of baked goods in my home.  Last year, I decided to make Sugar Cookies with my girls and invited a few kids over to decorate and eat the cookies. We had a fun time laughing, creating, and just being goofy.  I want to share this simple recipe for Sugar Cookies with you. You can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and store it in the freezer until ready to use. Have fun baking, invite family, friends or neighbors and don’t forget to add the most important ingredient of all, “LOVE”.

Sugar Cookies                                                          

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar                                                          
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 Tablespoon milk
• Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough
• Cookie cutters                                                       
• Stress not optional                       

Directions

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.  Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color.  Add egg and milk and beat to combine.  Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of bowl.  Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Sprinkle surface where you will roll out dough with powdered sugar.  Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator at a time, sprinkle rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out dough to ¼ -inch thick.  Move the dough around and check underneath frequently to make sure it is not sticking.  If dough has warmed during rolling, place back in refrigerator for 10 minutes to chill.  Cut into desired shape, place at least 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet and bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around edges, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking time.  Let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes after removal from oven and then move to complete cooling on wire rack.  Serve as is or ice and decorated as desired.  Store in a airtight container for up to one week.

Make an extra batch and bless someone in need of “JOY” during this Holiday Season and remember to “Just Breathe”