Nothing says “Holidays” like Whiskey Sugar Cookies

Yes, whiskey sugar cookies. This is not a Pinterest recipe. This isn’t a passed down recipe. This is a “oh crap, the cookie dough is too dry what do we do?!?!” recipe. And it actually came out quite wonderful!

At the beginning of November, I went to see my family in Las Vegas. It was such a joy to see them. My grandfather had passed away, and one of his favorite things were sugar cookies. As we were making these cookies for the reception after the funeral, I may have missed something, or the recipe that I had just wasn’t a good one. All of the ingredients were in the dough, but it was just so crumbly. I looked to my aunt and asked, ”OH no! What do we do?” So we added another sick of butter and some honey whiskey. Now, my grandfather hadn’t drank in 35 years, but I am sure he would have enjoyed these cookies. As these cookies were baking, I was worried that they wouldn’t turn out. BUT, THEY DID! As we were eating them the next day at the reception, they were still soft. I’m telling you. They were just phenomenal. So enough blabbing, more recipe!

You will need the following items:

Ingredients*

• 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup salted butter – softened (if it’s fresh from the fridge, defrost for about 45 seconds in the microwave)
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/3 cup honey whiskey (I chose Wild Turkey: American Honey because it is my favorite. I think it’s also fitting that I chose Wild Turkey considering it’s November, haha!)

*Note: There are two eggs in the picture. I made a double batch this evening. This recipe is just for a single/regular batch of cookies.

1. Mix the flour and baking powder together. (The original recipe called for baking soda as well, but we didn’t have it, so we omitted it and the cookies didn’t fall when they were baking – this helps keep them soft overnight.)

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Once that is all creamy, add the egg, vanilla and whiskey (I never measure out the amount of vanilla because I just love the flavor! I suggest you do the same as well!)

*If the batter is too sticky to roll into balls, add more flour and sugar. If too dry, add more butter. A little more whiskey couldn’t help either! Please note that the batter shouldn’t stick to the bowl. It should be able to fold into itself and form a giant ball in the bowl.

Raw Cookies

4. Lightly spray a pan or not. I prefer to spay the pan so I can just lift the cookie up and not worry about damaging the cooking when I am taking it off of the pan. Roll the cookie dough into balls and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes - usually when they start to turn golden. I suggest pulling it a little bit before so that they will be the most soft and chewy center of a cookie that you’ve ever had. You will then pull the cookies from the oven, let them cool for a couple of minutes, and put them on a plate. Repeat the process until you are out of cookie dough.

Baked Cookies

This is a recipe that I will take with me and make every year in November now. I am so thankful that I got to see my family, say goodbye to my grandfather, and make a new recipe that will be made for every Thanksgiving (Oh, who am I kidding, I’ll make them for Christmas too.) I am not a big Thanksgiving and Christmas person, but I sure do like making all kinds of goodies and sending them to my family in the mail. That’s what makes me the most happy – when they get some goodies in the mail that they weren’t expecting.

I generally make spicy trail mix, peanut butter balls, cake balls, German stollen, and now I am going to add whiskey sugar cookies to the mix. What are the goodies that you make for the holidays? Do you send goodies to your friends and family in the mail? What are you most thankful for during this season? I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you’re having a blast with your families and friends.

Love in the Dove,

–Lisa