Something sweet is good treat for Grandparents Day

Blount Today food writer Robin McDaniel enjoys her grandsons Jayven, left, and Kiyas Watts, sons of Brandon and Kristina Watts, as they get ready for Grandparents Day.

Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 11, a day set aside in 1978 to honor grandparents. Being that grandmothers are happiest when their grandchildren are smiling, I thought a good way to celebrate Grandparents Day was in the kitchen.

One of my grandsons’ all-time favorites is the decorated sugar cookie. It’s a great tasting cookie, and you can let your imagination go wild in the decorating phase.

Homemade sugar cookies are truly one of the most versatile sweet treats around. You can make simple circles or use your cookie cutters to make most any shape. Decorating sugar cookies is super easy once they have cooled. A tub of icing, some food coloring and sprinkles are all that is needed to turn a ho-hum day into a special day with your grandchildren.

And, you have something great to eat at the end of the bonding time!

Homemade Sugar Cookies

1 stick butter or margarine (softened to room temperature)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 cup milk

3 cups self-rising flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Add just enough flour to form a stiff dough (this will be about 3 cups). Mix by hand just until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the mixing bowl. Cover and chill dough overnight.

When ready to cut out cookies, roll dough out onto floured cloth to about 1/4 inch thick or less. Cut into desired shapes. Place on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 7 to 10 minutes or until edges are just slightly browned. Do not over bake. Cool and frost.