Christmas colors, Italian flag... same dif...

“What country is it that has red, white, and green? Oh yeah Italy.” And yet… I was making Christmas cookies… Sprinkle Budget 2021 was in full force and well… its budget that wasn’t spent – Covid really messed the budgeting up without a Wilton Outlet Sale to blow the budget at… so it was time to go in the reserves and see what we could find. Red and green sugar always works. These cookies are rolled in sugar then flatted and baked – why not with pretty colors? I also did chunky sugar crystals. I noticed the crystals kind of smashed into the cookies, so for those I flattened them into discs then dipped in the sugar. Such an easy yummy way to make sugar cookies. I’m sure we’ll be doing cut out cookies – the request has been made – but for now, these will do.

Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies
2½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
1¼ cups granulated sugar, plus ¼ cup for rolling
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to combine.
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat the butter and 1¼ cups sugar until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, and beat until combined. Slowly beat in the flour mixture.
Place the remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a shallow dish. Using a large (3-tablespoon) spring-loaded scoop, divide the dough into balls, then roll in sugar to coat evenly. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart, and flatten with the bottom of a measuring cup.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies set and begin to brown. Cool for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.