This is the best sugar cookie recipe and the only one I use. Whenever you make these cookies for someone, be sure to bring along several copies of the recipe — you will be asked for it, I promise! Note: I make icing with confectioners' sugar and milk. I make it fairly thin, as I "paint" the icing on the cookies with a pastry brush. Thin enough to spread easily but not so thin that it just makes your cookies wet and runs off.

Direction

1. Gather all ingredients.
2. Beat sugar and softened butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
5. Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Roll out dough to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness.
6. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
7. Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Carefully transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before decorating.
8. Enjoy!