Great news shared via cookie!

This week, I had planned to start Monday off with my mom's recipe for sugar cookies.  Typically a holiday staple at my parent's house, these cookies have been used to celebrate every milestone, birthday, and life event in the Williams' house. As a child, I can remember begging mom to make these so I could play  with (and eat!) sprinkles and royal icing. These cookies were also the only dessert I could eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner all in the same day without an argument from my parents because one recipe makes so darn many cookies. Childhood memories and nostalgia aside, I had to make these cookies this week to celebrate my great news, the traditional Williams' way!

I have a surprise for everyone! Well, it's not really a surprise to my 4 followers (considering they are all my family), but I am announcing it anyway. And, I can't think of a better way to share this news than through SUGAR COOKIES! Let me give you a hint:

Yes, I have a Missouri cookie cutter :-). Ok, I can totally understand how this would be impossible to decipher, so let me help! As I mentioned in Getting Started with Samoas, I love to compete in pageants. I had competed in the Miss Missouri America pageant for 2 years before I was accepted into medical school. This past year, I hung up my crown and decided to give med school my full attention. I had no idea that I would miss my pageant friends and the Miss Missouri Organization so much! So last weekend, after months of preparation, I threw my hat (or crown, as it was) into the ring for the Miss Gateway to the West pageant.  And, I WON! Not only does this mean that I get to represent the St. Louis area, promote my platform of emphasizing preventative medicine techniques, and work with children's hospitals around the state for Children's Miracle Network, but also, I get to compete for Miss Missouri America again! (Now you get the crown and Missouri cookie? Lame, I know, but I'm excited!)

Want to know more about the Miss Missouri pageant, Miss Gateway to the West, or what I will be doing this year during my reign of service?  If you enjoy following my blog "Doctoring it up," then you'll love following my blog "Miss Gateway to the West."  Can't wait to share my adventures across Missouri with you! But for now, I'll share my cookie recipe. :-)

Mom's Celebration Sugar Cookies
makes 3 dozen cookies (but depends on what size cookie cutter you use!)

- 4c. flour
- 1t. baking powder
- 1/2t. salt
- 2 sticks butter at room temperature
- 2c. sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2t. vanilla

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set Aside.  In a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 4 min).  Add eggs and vanilla.  Slowly mix in the flour mixture.  Divide the dough ball in half, wrapping each half in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. 

Preheat over to 400 F.  Roll out dough to 1/4" thick on a well floured surface.  Cut cookies with cookie cutters fitting for your celebration! Place cookies on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 min.  Cool 2 min on the pan before removing to wire rack to finish cooling.  Frost with icing of your choice (store bought is ok too!).  Enjoy!