Recipe: Sugar Cookies with 6 Variations (Fannie Farmer Cookbook)

Hi Janet, Here is the same recipe from the Fannie Farmer Cookbook that AJ in MD posted back in 2007 but with the variations included. You're correct - the variation for Filled Sugar Cookies uses an extra 1/4 cup flour in the dough so the dough can be rolled out. Happy Baking! - Betsy

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SUGAR COOKIES
Makes about 40 cookies

"Old-fashioned sugar cookies are sweet, rich, and delectable, the essence of what a "plain" cookie should be."


1/4 pound (1/2 cup) butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tablespoon cream or milk
1 1/4 cups flour
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream the butter, then gradually add the sugar, beating until light. Add the egg, vanilla, and cream or milk, and beat thoroughly.

Mix the flour, salt, and baking powder together, add to the first mixture, and blend well. Arrange by teaspoonfuls on cookie sheets, 1-inch apart.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.

ALMOND SPICE COOKIES:
Fold 1/3 cup finely chopped, blanched almonds, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and the grated rlnd of 1/2 lemon into the cookie dough.

COCONUT COOKIES:
Add 1/2 cup finely chopped coconut to the dough.

LEMON SUGAR COOKIES:
Omit the vanilla and add 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract and 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind to the dough.

NUT COOKIES:
Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts to the dough.

RAISIN COOKIES:
Add 1/2 cup chopped raisins to the dough.

FILLED SUGAR COOKIES:
Add about 1/4 cup flour to the dough, just enough so that it can be rolled out. Roll 1/4-inch thick and cut into 3-inch circles. Spread half the circles with jam, jelly, mincemeat. Or the Fruit and Nut Filling that follows. Cover with the remaining circles and press the edges together with a fork, prick well. Bake on buttered cookie sheets in a preheated 325 degree F oven until lightly browned, about 12 minutes.

Fruit and Nut Filling for Filled Sugar Cookies:
In a saucepan mix 1/2 cup chopped raisins, 1/2 cup finely cut dates, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon flour. Cook slowly until thick. Use as recommended above.

Source: The Fannie Farmer Cookbook by Marion Cunningham, 1979, 1990, 1996