March 24, 2009

The Best Sugar Cookies

With annual business plan meetings all week at work, I figured I could use some divine intervention. So last night I turned to the church…cookbook.

The Best Sugar Cookies are one of the many homespun recipes from the cute little vintage church cookbook Jean Martha's (I Love Upstate) mom recently found at their “local junk store.” Jean’s house is right across the street from the church, so it’s even sweeter.



The recipe could not be easier. I made minor substitutions, including using half spelt flour and organic palm shortening (I have a feeling recipe scribe Miss Joan Mathes, and perhaps even Jean Martha, just rolled her eyes at my tree hugging hippie modifications.).



And they're perfect for Easter...since the cookies seemed to procreate like bunnies! One cookie sheet out of the oven, another in. Repeat. And so it went. For almost two hours on a “school night.” You see, part of my problem in life is recipe-reading comprehension. I'm fine with things like, say, 19-page RFPs or Kafka books, but paying attention to a recipe through to the end before I start to bake seemingly eludes me. And if I had chosen to read this one just a hair more closely, things like “3 ½ cups of flour” and “yield = 7 dozen” would have maybe –- just maybe -- jumped off the page a bit.

I'll update with photos of the finished product when I'm reunited with my camera cord this weekend at the shore house. I think I’ll also give the doughnut recipe on Southern Hospitality (via Southern Plate) a try. I will have earned them by Saturday.

23 comments:

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

I just saw that you met up with some bloggers last week! How fun, Diane stops by to see me very often & Pat does too. I think it's always so neat to meet up with other bloggers. I met 2 yesterday & will be sharing it on my blog on Wed.

and maybe YOU and I can meet up in May! I hope that works out.

Anonymous said...

hmmm I might try that, the procreation would be good in this house - made a choc cake at 3pm on Sunday was all gone by 3.30

S
x

Lorrie said...

Yum Laura--sugar cookies are among my favorites and a perfect Spring/Easter cookie.

So glad you got to meet with Pat and Diane recently. It looks like you ladies had a fun time together.

Keetha Broyles said...

I'm waiting with bated breath for pix of the finished product!!!

Unknown said...

Hi Laura,
I finally am slightly rested from the trip....but am not down any pounds even though I got lots of walking in...so NO sugar cookies for me!

Once again, it was great meeting you!

Rue said...

These sound wonderful! You've inspired me to make these for Easter! What's more fun than eating warm, freshly decorated sugar cookies!! Yay!

Joyce said...

Thanks Laura, you know how much I adore a good recipe or two.xoxo

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Laura, They sounds wonderful! And I love that you know that little church well. What a great story!!!
Ok, pass the plate Laura! I want some too.
Smile.
YUM!

Tina said...

Love me some sugar cookies! Oh the illustration on that book is too sweet.
your bunny should be hopping to you very soon. He was sent on his way on Monday

Blessings
T

Maureen said...

Those cookbooks are the best - I generally only buy cookbooks with pictures, but I love to cook recipes from "real" cooks. I bet the cookies were delicious.

please sir said...

Such an amazing find - how neat!

Leciawp said...

I have several church cookbooks; the recipes are often the best - tried and true. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Laura, these look divine! And I join you in your "healthy" alternatives for bleached flour, etc.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

Yummm..who doesn't love a good sugar cookie. Those church recipe books are THE best.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

THANKS! I need a large sugar cookie recipe Laura, as I have some giant cookie cutters I like to use now and then :-)

Did you see that tomorrow is the new reveal date for the March Daring Kitchen Baking challenge ...but they date said they will accept the original March 29 also.

pve design said...

Sugar Cookies are one of my most favorite cookies to make. Did you know that several cookie monsters live in my home? They always seem to find the cookies and leave a trail of crumbs. Let's plan our next meeting as a "bake-off!"

Linda Lou said...

A sugar cookie with some glistening sugar icing-that is one of life's great pleasures...are they gonna be shaped like bunnies!!

Anonymous said...

hmmm sugar cookies..

Jean Martha said...

Love it. Am still in Europe and the Fiance is passed out cold so I finally have a few minutes with REAL internet access.

Make sure to post pics of your cookies, I want to see them!

BTW - got your blog button up!

Kwana said...

I love the church illustration. So pretty. Now I want to bake.

Leila said...

I do the same thing -- only SKIM the recipe...
and cookies give me a choking feeling (not eating them, alas...making them) when I'm sort of chained to the oven in those little bursts of time that they cook.

But I love sugar cookies :)I'm going to try to make some with coconut oil now that I see your substitutions!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, and I hope you'll try those donuts. My hubby just LOVES them & thinks I'm the best wifey now that I've made a couple batches. Food is his love language. You can't beat 10 donuts for about 80 cents!

So glad you love my corner cabinet too! :0

j.cro said...

AAAAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHHAHA
Seven Dozen!!!
HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA