Christmas in July Cut-out Cookies

Christmas in July....

This is a perfect time to share my Cut-out Sugar Cookie recipe. These little gems are so buttery and soft, they just melt in your mouth when you eat them. I always top them with butter cream vanilla frosting. The frosting and the buttery cookie go absolutely perfect together.

This recipe was given to me by a friend many, many, many years ago when I was a teenager. I loved these cookies so much that I kept track of this recipe and guarded it with my life.
My kids always look forward to the holidays so they can eat these cookies, but I have also used this recipe for Valentine's Day. Huge heart shaped sugar cookies are a huge hit on Valentine's Day.

I have a story to share with you. I was attending the local Farmer's Market in my area during Sweetest Day. I used this recipe and made heart shaped frosted (pink) cut-out cookies. I packaged them up 3 in a box with a clear lid. I displayed them on my table with a sign saying, "Don't Forget Your Sweetie". Ten boxes of heart shaped cookies were gone (sold) within fifteen minutes.

Would you like to know the history of Sweetest Day?

Sweetest Day is celebrated each year on the third Saturday of October. Even though it is thought of as a second Valentine's Day, it is actually a day meant to celebrate all the people who make your life special.

Sweetest Day was founded around 1922 in Cleveland, Ohio by Herbert Birch Kingston who was a local candy company employee. Herbert wanted to bring cheer and happiness to the lives of those who were often forgotten. With some help from friends, he began distributing candy and small gifts to children living in orphanages, people with illnesses and disabilities, shut-ins, and many others.

Within a decade, the being sweet idea gained such a popularity that the city of Cleveland officially declared the third Saturday of October as Sweetest Day.

Sweetest Day will be celebrated on Saturday, October 16, 2010. Remember to celebrate the holiday and touch the life of someone special.

"Don't Forget Your Sweetie"

Cut-out Sugar Cookies

3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. butter
2 eggs
1 c. sugar

Mix flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Cut in butter (I use two knives, or a pastry blender). In separate bowl, beat eggs, add sugar and beat well. Blend egg mixture into flour thoroughly. Chill dough 4-5 hours or over night. Roll out dough on floured surface using cookie cutters to cut out in various shapes. Bake on un-greased cookie sheet at 375 degrees F. for 6 to 8 minutes.
You have to be very careful not to over-bake these. Remove them from the oven when they look like they are just starting to brown. Baking stones work wonderful for these cookies.

Good luck~Happy eating~Enjoy