"sugar cookie recipes" news and stories

Happy National Sugar Cookie Day!

Although today sugar cookies are known in American kitchens for their simple, straightforward ingredient list, they actually have roots tracing back to Medieval Arab cuisine, which was famously fond of sugar. Individually sized sugar cakes -- seasoned with spices and nuts -- were transported to Spain by the Moors, after which they were popularized in Europe before eventually being imported into the New World.

The typical American sugar cookies have evolved to shed their exotic ingredients, instead favoring a more purist ingredient list, similar to that of Martha Stewart's Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies. But as these cookies hold such a mild buttery palate, they're an ideal blank canvas for any number of additions, from chocolate to spices, nuts, essences and herbs.

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Sugar cookies get a melted candy center to resemble stained glass windows in this cheery creation.

The traditional sugar cookie is turned into a holiday favorite when cut into festive shapes and decorated with the colors of the season.

Get this sugar cookie recipe along with many others after the jump.