We had a dress drive at my work for the Junior League of Kane and DuPage Counties' Cinderella's Closet. They provide prom dresses to financially challenged high-school girls. It is a really nice thing to do with gently used formal dresses that we all have in our closets. To encourage donations I baked prom dress decorated sugar cookies. I think they turned out pretty damn cute.
I used my standard sugar cookie recipe, which is the best remake I could come up with of my Great Aunt's lost recipe I made as a kid. Seriously, how did everyone in my family lose this recipe?
I just used the basic confectioner's sugar and milk icing. I bought a food coloring that I really liked. It is AmeriColor #164 Electric Pink gel food coloring. I was really happy with the shade of pink.
Cookie recipe:
3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 T milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract*
1/4 tsp lemon extract
powdered sugar for rolling out dough
Sift flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate mixing bowl (I prefer a stand mixer) beat butter and sugar until pale yellow. Add egg and mix well. Add milk and extracts and mix until combined. On low, mix in flour mixture until combined. Divide the dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Roll out dough on a lightly powdered sugar surface until 1/4 " thick (I like them a little thinner but it has to be a shape that wont get a weak spot and break.) Cut desired shapes and bake on parchment lined cookie sheets for approximately 8 minutes or until very lightly golden on edges. Time will depend on how big the shapes are. Cool on sheet for 2 minutes and then transfer to a rack.
*When I am serving these to a group of people I don't know, where there may be a possible nut allergy, I omit the almond extract. However, the almond extract is the "secret ingredient" my Great Aunt Virgie taught me to use and makes these sugar cookies extra yummy.
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