Christmas Sugar Cookies

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
4 - 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Colored Sugar (Green and Red)

In a large mixing bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients until well blended. Beat in the baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and vanilla. Gradually add the flour and beat until well blended.

Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll in colored sugar (some in green, some in red, and even some in regular white sugar). Place teh balls 2 inches apart on a shiny baking sheet. Flatten with the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

We all go to great lengths to make elaborate, expensive, fancy shmancy Christmas cookies - but one of the best, most flavorable, and most rapidly eaten cookies is the simple old-fashioned sugar cookie. As a matter of fact, after typing in this recipe, I can think of nothing in the world I want more right now than a big fat sugar cookie. I think I know what’s for dessert tonight!

I hope you’ve kicked off your Christmas season in a big way - and that, of course means one thing: Having fun and enjoying all of your loved ones. The gifts aren’t what’s important - even though they monopolize most of the conversations and thoughts. Being together, laughing, and making memories that’ll keep us company the rest of our lives - that’s what makes the season so magical.

…that and big fat sugar cookies.