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Fall Themed Sugar Cookies

By Rachel

published 10/08/2021

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Last Updated on October 20, 2021 by Rachel Granholm

October has arrived and it’s the perfect time to make some fall themed sugar cookies!

There is something so peaceful about baking. The simple act of mixing, stirring, and sifting ingredients together to create a baked good is just so satisfying. This recipe that I’m sharing with you today is extra special because it comes from the kitchen of my late Grandma Jean. There are so many pictures from when I was a little girl of me in the kitchen with my grandma helping her bake a yummy treat. She instilled the love of baking in me and I hope this fall themed sugar cookies recipe is an encouragement to you as well!

Me, my Grandma Jean and my sister Sarah ready to bake!

Table of Contents

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Baking Utensils Needed

Cookie Recipe

Grandma Jean’s Sugar Cookies Makes approx. 3 dozen cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. salt

Directions

With a mixer, cream the butter. Sift the powdered sugar in gradually. Mix until creamy and fluffy.
Add in the egg and vanilla, mix well.
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt together. Slowly combine with the wet mixture. Mix until creamy.
You will then need to refrigerate the dough in a covered bowl for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours before continuing.
To make the cookies, flour a hard surface so that the dough doesn’t stick to it. Flour a rolling pin as well. Take a heaping handful of dough, place it on the flour covered surface, and knead it, adding flour as needed.
Using the rolling pin, start rolling out your dough to about 1/4 inch thick, give or take depending on your preference.
Grab your cookie cutters and press them into the dough.

To scoop them onto a baking tray, dip a turner in flour and slowly get all the way under the cookie. Place the cut out cookies on a baking tray, making sure the cookies are not touching each other.
Then, bake the cookies for 8 minutes or until golden brown in a 350 degree oven. This step will vary on your oven. You may need your oven a little warmer or you may need to bake them a little longer.
Remove cookies from the tray with a turner and place on tin foil. Let them cool completely.
While you are letting the cookies cool, start mixing up the frosting.

Frosting Utensils Needed

Frosting Recipe

3-4 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2-3 Tablespoons milk (any kind of milk or non-dairy milk will work)
food coloring
sprinkles or shimmer sugar (if desired)

Directions

Start with 1 cup of powdered sugar in a bowl. Add the vanilla and 1 Tbsp. of the milk to start.
Stir well. If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If it is too thick, add 1 more Tbsp. of milk. Continue this process until you have a frosting consistency that is to your liking.

You can add food coloring if desired. Go 2 drops at a time, stirring in between, until you achieve the color that you like. I made one batch of frosting orange and another batch of frosting a marbled red.
Frost your cookies and place on tin foil to dry. Add sprinkles if desired.
Remember that your cookies do not have to look perfect. Find meaning and connection with whoever you are making them with instead of focusing on the imperfections of the cookies.

This is such a fun fall activity to do with your spouse, kids, grandkids, or even your pets! My Tilly girl loves to help me in the kitchen at all times.

I hope these fall themed sugar cookies will inspire you to get in the kitchen and create some special treats. Keep some for yourself and give some to a neighbor to pass along some joy!