Some recipes are just timeless—like a well-loved KitchenAid mixer, they become a staple in your kitchen, year after year, holiday after holiday. Our ShookHill Sugar Cookies fall squarely into that category. This isn’t just any sugar cookie recipe; it’s one that has been passed down from the owner of a charming patisserie, and we’ve been baking it for over 20 years. Through birthdays, Christmas celebrations, Easter gatherings, Graduations, showers, countless event gifts and even simple afternoon tea, this dough has proven to be the most reliable, versatile, and delicious foundation for beautifully decorated cookies. It’s easy to make, holds its shape when baked, and is the perfect blank canvas for decorating with colored royal icing. Best of all? The dough can be made ahead of time, the cookies bake beautifully in advance, and they pack well in cellophane bags and travel like a dream—making them ideal for both gifting and entertaining. Why This Sugar Cookie Recipe is a Must-Have There are plenty of sugar cookie recipes out there, but this one stands apart for a few key reasons: A Dream to Work With: The dough rolls out smoothly, doesn’t stick, and holds intricate shapes well. Make-Ahead Friendly: Mix up the dough a few days in advance, wrap and chill for later use. Bakes Beautifully: No spreading, puffing, or losing those crisp edges. Endlessly Adaptable: Use it for classic cut-out cookies, sandwich cookies, or even as a base for fruit tarts. Decorating and Using Your Sugar Cookies Over the years, we’ve used this recipe for everything from intricately iced Christmas cookies to simple, rustic Easter egg shapes. When we are packing these as gifts in cellophane bags with our favorite gift labels, we always use royal icing and allow to dry completely before packaging (1-2 days depending on your humidity level). When preparing to serve, here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy them: Classic Royal Icing: Smooth, glossy, and perfect for detailed designs and packing. Buttercream Frosting: Soft, creamy, and a hit when decorating with a group. Sugared Simplicity: A light sprinkle of sanding sugar before baking adds an elegant sparkle. Dipped in Chocolate: Half-dip in chocolate (white, milk or dark) and top with chopped fruit and nuts (pistachios and cranberries at Christmas) for a sophisticated treat. Or partially dipped in chocolate and then sprinkles (our Thanksgiving turkeys are a good example of this). Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies Every Time ✔ Chill the dough for a minimum of 30 minutes: This keeps the cookies from spreading and helps maintain crisp edges.✔ Use quality extracts: Pure Nielsen-Massey vanilla bean paste makes all the difference.✔ Rotate the baking sheets: Halfway through baking for even coloring.✔ Store properly: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage. This recipe has been a workhorse in our kitchen for decades, and we can’t wait to see how you use it for your own celebrations. Whether you’re baking for a festive holiday, a special gathering, or just a cozy afternoon at home, we know this sugar cookie recipe is the only one you need and sure to become a favorite in your household, too. We’d love to see what you create! Tag us @ShookhillSecret and share your cookie photos with us.
Cooking
A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration…
Honoring Tradition with Food, Family, and a Toast to Our Irish Roots… Every March 17th, as the first daffodils bloom and the air turns just a bit warmer, we take a moment to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day—not just with festive food and drink, but as a way to honor the generations that came before us. It’s a day steeped in tradition, a time to raise a glass to our Irish ancestors who immigrated to the United States, seeking a better life for themselves and for future generations. Their resilience, hard work, and enduring spirit are woven into our family’s story, and we cherish this day as a chance to reflect on that legacy. The History Behind St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day honors the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, who is credited with bringing Christianity to the island in the 5th century. While originally a religious feast day, it has grown into a worldwide celebration of Irish heritage. Early Irish immigrants brought their traditions to America, using the holiday as a way to embrace their culture and find community. From grand parades in New York and Chicago to smaller family gatherings, St. Patrick’s Day remains a time to honor Irish pride, perseverance, and the contributions of those who came before us. Many of our own ancestors arrived in the U.S. in search of opportunity, enduring hardships and challenges to build new lives. They worked tirelessly—often in physically demanding jobs—to provide for their families and future generations. Today, we celebrate their strength and sacrifices with the traditions and flavors that have been passed down through the years. A Feast of Irish Comfort Foods St. Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a table filled with comforting, home-cooked dishes that pay homage to our heritage. This year, we’re making some of our favorite recipes: ✔ Reuben Dip – Our take on the traditional sandwich, but easy to serve for a crowd. We featured our recipe last week. ✔ Stuffed Cabbage – A dish with deep roots in Irish and Eastern European traditions. Our stuffed cabbage is a hearty meat and rice mixture tucked inside cabbage leaves and cooked in a tomato broth, with a twist of lemon – the perfect centerpiece for a celebratory meal. ✔ Irish Soda Bread – Our rustic and simple bread has long been a staple in Irish kitchens for centuries. We shared our recipe on the blog last week—it’s a delicious reminder of Ireland’s culinary history. ✔ Irish Cream – Our homemade version of this beloved creamy liqueur is always a hit. Made with rich cream, whiskey, and just the right touch of sweetness, it’s perfect for sipping over ice or adding to a cup of coffee. We shared the recipe on our social channels, but have also provided it below in case you missed it. ✔ Shamrock Cookies & Carrot Cake Cupcakes – For dessert, we’re baking up a batch of shamrock-shaped sugar cookies and moist, spiced carrot cake cupcakes. A little swirled green icing and a few sprinkles bring a festive touch to these sweet treats. If you’re not hosting a celebration this year, our cookies make fantastic gifts. They are easily packed in cellophane bags, tied with a festive ribbon and personalized with one of our gift tags. Raising a Glass to Family & Tradition Beyond the food, St. Patrick’s Day is about connection—gathering with loved ones, reminiscing about family stories, and toasting to the journey that brought us here. Whether we’re enjoying a pint of Guinness, a mug of Irish coffee, or a homemade Irish Cream on the rocks, we always take a moment to honor those who came before us, those who worked hard so that we could have the lives we do today. And so, as we celebrate, we reflect on the timeless Irish blessing that has been passed down through the generations: “May the road rise to meet you,May the wind be always at your back,May the sun shine warm upon your face,The rains fall soft upon your fields,And until we meet again,May God hold you in the palm of His hand.” Sláinte! Cheers to heritage, family, and the luck of the Irish! 🍀
