Bloggers' Christmas Favorites - #2

For a special treat during December, I have asked a few of my blogging friends to share a favorite Christmas item with my readers. Today's guest is the delightful Diane Estrella, who blogs at dianeestrella.com. Diane loves to connect people and does a lot to encourage bloggers, so please welcome her and visit her blog when you get a chance. And she loves to cook as well! Meet Diane as she shares a favorite recipe . . .

Diane Estrella

Blog:  dianeestrella.com

Hello!

I’m Diane Estrella, wife, cool home-schooling mom, speaker, aspiring children’s writer, part-time blogger, (full-time social media recreationalist) and semi-professional encourager.

I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up and I’m still not sure. I do love connecting people, writers, businesses, and anyone trying to turn their dreams into a reality. I’m hoping that my epitaph will be that I lived and even made a difference in this crazy, mixed-up world.

I’m good for a moment's distraction from life, and any help I can be to others. That’s my purpose….That’s what I’m here for…..

Like, totally!

_______________

Let your inner artist burst forth!

These are fun and happily, messy and the perfect way to spend a snowed-in afternoon making. Truly, they are good enough to eat with no frosting at all, but the frosting and decorations are part of the joy, and kids will love using their creativity to make them their own. Sprinkles equal love, people!!!

I hope you'll give these a try and enjoy making them as much as I do.

Hugs from Diane,
at www.dianeestrella.com

The Best Sugar Cookie Cutouts Recipe

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 T. milk
1 t. vanilla (if you prefer, you can use almond, anise, lemon, or whatever your favorite flavoring is)
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 t. cream of tarter
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt


Directions

1) In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Stir in the eggs, milk, and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix everything together.

2) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.

3) On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. (I regularly "flour" my rolling pin so the dough will not stick to it also.) Cut into the desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. The cookies will expand a little when baking.

4) Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven, until bottoms and edges of cookies are a very light brown. Remove from baking sheet and cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.