Fluffy Sugar Cookies

Happy holidays everyone! Like many of you, I have been busier then ever. Finally, I am getting around to this delicious soft sugar cookie recipe I've been promising you...and just in time for Santa! These cookies take some time, but I guarantee the big guy will gobble them up!

For the cookies:

4½ c All-purpose flour

4½ tsp Baking powder

¾ tsp Salt

1½ c (3 sticks) Unsalted butter, at room temperature

1½ c Sugar

3 Large eggs

5 tsp Vanilla extract

For the frosting:

1 c unsalted butter - soft

3 1/2 c Powdered sugar

1 tbsp Milk

1/4 tsp Salt

1 tsp Vanilla extract

For the cookies:

In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt, and set it aside.

In a standing mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar together for about 5 minutes until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat. Mix in the vanilla and add dry mix. Beat on slow until well blended.

Divide the dough in half and roll into two dough balls. Cover with plastic wrap. Place the dough balls in the fridge for an hour so the dough is firm. Once the dough is nice and firm, pull off about 1/4 cup of dough (I use a little less to get more cookies out of this batch), and roll it into golf ball sized pieces. Place the dough ball on a greased baking sheet (or use parchment paper), and push down on each ball (not so that it's flat... just use two fingers and squish them a little so they are still thick and disc shaped)

Cook at 350 F for 10-12 minutes. They will look undone, but you don't want any brown. Once cooked, cool completely before frosting them.

For the frosting:

Beat the butter in a standing mixer (hand mixer is fine, but this takes a while). Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time. Finally, add the rest of the ingredients and beat for about 5-10 minutes. The frosting should be rich in flavor and fluffy!

I hope you guys love these as much as we do. Decorate them by dying the icing with food coloring, or just add bright holiday sprinkles to make them festive!