Grandma Bea's Famous Pink Sugar Cookies

One of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve been given is Chris’ Grandma Bea’s “sugar cookies with pink frosting” recipe. Chris’ aunt gifted this recipe to me at one of my bridal showers. With this borrowed recipe she gave us a treasured black and white photo of Chris’ grandparents from their early married days (something old) along with some of the ingredients needed to make this treat, some (new) baking essentials, and some (blue) kitchen accessories. Opening this gift moved Chris and I both to tears and many others in the room followed suit.

This recipe is a treasure in his dad’s family and he has so many memories of his grandmother making these pink (extra sugar!) sugar cookies. I feel honored to be able to recreate a memory of his grandparents, especially during the holiday season. To me, these sorts of traditions are one of the most important things in life and it was especially fun making these with Olivia now that she is a little older. I hope over the years I will develop my own signature dishes my family will cherish, like these crazy delicious cookies. They are a Baldwin staple. (And oh, so good!)

I’m excited to share this treat with you all and hope it brings your family great joy this holiday season and beyond. Here’s what you need to make the best sugar cookies you’ve ever had. This recipe will make about 48 cookies.

1 cup sugar (optional to have an extra bit on hand for rolling the dough in)

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup butter (I use Earth Balance vegan butter)

1 cup oil (I use sunflower oil)

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cream of tartar

2 tsp baking soda

5 1/4 cups flour

1. Preheat your oven to 350.

2. Cream the sugar and butter together in a large mixing bowl.

3. Add eggs, oil, and vanilla and mix well.

4. Mix in dry ingredients (cream of tartar, powdered sugar, baking soda and flour.)

5. Make small balls of dough and roll them in sugar (the grandkids’ favorite part!)

6. Flatten balls into cookie shape. I’m told Grandma Bea used the bottom of a glass (also rimmed with sugar!) so that’s how we do it too (sans sugar.)

7. Bake for 10 minutes or less.

The pink frosting wasn’t ever written down, so here’s what I’ve come up with. You’ll need:

6 cups of powdered sugar

2/3 cup butter

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 tablespoons almond milk

2 drops of red food coloring

Simply mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl for delicious perfectly pink, fluffy frosting. You’ll likely have a tiny bit left over, depending on how thick you spread it on :) Be sure to let the cookies cool completely before icing.