Sugar Cookies Recipe Courtesy Alton Brown

SUGAR COOKIES 2.0

Steps:

• Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together into a medium bowl and set aside.
• Place butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Start the mixer on low, then gradually increase the speed to medium and continue to beat, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the temperature of the butter.
• Slow the mixer to low and add the egg, followed by the milk, then return to medium speed and beat until smooth, about 30 seconds. Then, slow the mixer yet again, gradually add the flour, and mix until dough comes together, about 30 more seconds.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and split into two equal portions. Form these into balls, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F with the oven racks in the upper middle and lower middle positions. Line two half sheet pans with parchment paper.
• Use a small strainer or sifter to sprinkle your rolling surface with confectioners' sugar. Remove 1 dough from the refrigerator, place on the sugar-dusted counter, and dust with a little additional sugar. Working quickly (so the butter doesn't have time to melt), roll the dough to a quarter-inch thickness. (I use pastry guides for this.)
• Cut dough into desired shapes and place at least 1 inch apart on the prepared sheet pans. Re-roll the scraps one time and cut into additional cookies. Discard any remaining dough; do not re-roll a second time. (Okay, I admit I eat it raw, but that's me.) Bake both pans of cookies, rotating halfway through baking time, until the cookies are just brown around the edges, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on the pans for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the first batch is baking, roll and cut the second half of the dough. Bake and cool the second batch, then decorate as desired...or don't. Frankly, they're plenty good with no icing at all.

ALTON BROWN'S CHEWY COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Melt the butter in a heavy-bottom medium saucepan over low heat.
• Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.
• Pour the melted butter in the mixer's work bowl.
• Add the sugar and brown sugar.
• Cream the butter and sugars on medium speed.
• Add the egg, yolk, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
• Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until thoroughly combined.
• Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Chill the dough, then scoop onto parchment-lined baking sheets, 6 cookies per sheet.
• Bake for 14 minutes or until golden brown, checking the cookies after 5 minutes.
• Rotate the baking sheet for even browning.
• Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

BROWN SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat brown sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract together in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture until dough is fully combined.
• Pour confectioners' sugar onto a large plate. Spoon dough, 1 1/2 teaspoons per cookie, onto confectioners' sugar and roll to coat. Arrange coated dough on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until edges are lightly browned, 12 to 14 minutes. Cool cookies on baking pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• Place butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until light in color, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and milk and beat to combine. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, and beat until mixture pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Divide the dough in half, wrap each piece in parchment paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Heat oven to 375ºF and place a half-sheet pan in the freezer to chill.
• Use a small strainer or sifter to sprinkle your rolling surface with 1 tablespoon powdered sugar. Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator at a time, sprinkle a rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick. Move the dough around and check underneath frequently to make sure it is not sticking. If dough has warmed during rolling, place the chilled half-sheet pan on top for 10 minutes to chill.
• Cut dough into desired shapes, place at least 1 inch apart on a parchment paper-lined half-sheet pan, and bake until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around the edges, 8 to 12 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking time. Leave on the pan for 2 minutes after removal from oven and then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve as is or ice as desired. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.