• Cooking Time: 8 to 10
• Servings: 48
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tbs. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Additional sugar, icing, and decorations

1. In a small bowl, stir together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
2. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy.
4. In a small bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and vanilla together.
5. Add to the butter mix and blend on medium with an electric mixer.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients and blend well.
7. Divide the dough in two.
8. Roll into balls and flatten slightly.
9. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for several hours.
10. Preheat oven to 375.F (190.C).
11. Roll dough between sheets of waxed paper until 1/4-inch (6.5 mm) thick.
12. Chill for 15 minutes.
13. Carefully pull off the top piece of waxed paper, sprinkle with sugar and use the cookie cutters to cut out the shapes.
14. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
15. Cool on the cookie sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. When the cookies are completely cool, decorate as desired.

SUGAR COOKIE IDEA DECORATIONS: Easter Decorations: pastel icing and sprinkles, egg-shaped cookie cutter. Flag Decorations: red, white, and blue icing, cut into rectangles. Valentine Heart Cookies: valentine hearts in the middle of cooling cookies. Smile Cookies: yellow icing and sugar sprinkles, chocolate icing in a tube. Princess Cookies: decorate cookies with pink icing then add red and white sugar sprinkles and silver balls.