Monster Sugar Cookies

$20 - $25 (based on 2017 prices)
Makes roughly two dozen cookies

Baking and decorating Christmas cookies has become a holiday tradition among my friends. Each year, we gather at my apartment, open a few bottles of wine, and let our festive creativity flow. While everyone else crafts glittering angels and colorful snowflakes, I gleefully create ravenous monsters and blood-drenched zombies. The cookie recipe we use is rather basic and works well for any holiday.

Cookies

• 2 Cups sifted flour
• ½ Teaspoon baking powder
• ½ Teaspoon baking soda
• ½ Teaspoon salt
• 2/3 Cup butter
• 1 Cup sugar
• 1 Egg
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• ½ Teaspoon vanilla
• ½ Teaspoon lemon juice
  

Frosting

• 2 1/2 sticks softened butter
• 5 Cups powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• Food coloring in desired colors
  

1. In large bowl, sift together baking soda, baking powder, flour, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until it becomes creamy.

2. Blend the egg, lemon juice, milk, and vanilla into the butter and sugar mixture and the gradually add dry ingredients until dough forms. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least two hours.

3. Preheat the oven to 375°F and, on a floured surface, roll the dough to 1/8” thickness and, using cookie cutters, cut it into your desired shapes.

4. Place the cookies on a greased baking sheet one inch apart and bake them for ten to twelve minutes or until they reach a golden brown.

5. As the cookies cools, make the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the butter with a hand mixer until it becomes creamy. Then, gradually add milk, vanilla, and sugar and beat until the mixture becomes fluffy.