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.
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Spring Break in the Florida Keys..
Stone Crabbing, Fishing & Laid-Back Island Vibes… If you’ve never been to the Florida Keys, here’s what you need to know—this place is as casual as it gets. Think flip-flops, sundresses, and breezy beachside bars where the only dress code is comfort (a perfect fit for Shookhill Style). Whether you’re escaping the lingering chill up north or just looking for a relaxed getaway, Key Largo is the perfect destination for a sun-soaked spring break filled with incredible seafood, adventure, and plenty of time to unwind. Where to Stay: Waterfront Bliss in Key Largo For the ultimate spring break retreat, we recommend staying at Baker’s Cay Resort or Playa Largo Resort & Spa—both offer stunning oceanfront views, beach access, and all the amenities you need to kick back and relax. From floating docks to kayak and jet ski rentals, these resorts make it easy to enjoy the water without ever leaving the property. Fresh Catches & Local Flavors: Where to Eat Casual dining is the name of the game in the Keys, and you won’t find better fresh seafood than at Key Largo Fisheries—a must-visit for stone crabs and conch fritters. Craving sushi? Num Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar serves up incredibly fresh rolls and Thai dishes in a relaxed, no-fuss setting. Stone Crabbing: A Florida Keys Tradition One of the highlights of our trip was heading out with friends from Ocean Reef for a day of stone crabbing and fishing. If you’ve never tried stone crabs, you’re in for an absolute treat! Here’s how it works: Setting the Traps – Traps are baited and dropped in shallow waters, then left for a few days. Harvesting the Claws – Once the pots are pulled onto the boat and inspected, the crabs are carefully measured, and only legal-sized claws are taken. The crabs are then safely released to grow new claws. Boiling & Cracking – Freshly caught claws are boiled, chilled, and cracked open for the most delicious, sweet crab meat. We served our stone crabs Key’s style—chilled, with a homemade mustard dipping sauce (a simple mix of yellow mustard, mayo, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce). Participating in this process with local residents was such a wonderful opportunity, but if you don’t know a local with all of the licenses and equipment, a great place to source stone crabs is Key Largo Fisheries. You can eat them there or buy them to go along with a cracker and dipping sauce. Fishing for Snapper We also spent a day fishing the patch reefs for mutton and yellowtail snapper. The Keys are home to some of the best fishing in the world, and we had a fantastic time reeling in fresh snapper. Pro tips: Use live bait like ballyhoo or shrimp. Fish around reef structures where snapper love to hide. Be patient—the fight is worth it! Back at shore, our catch was filleted and cooked Reef-style with lemon, capers, and butter—served alongside our stone crab appetizer, a fresh salad, and homemade Key Lime Pie. Pure island perfection! Scuba Diving: Explore the Beautiful Reefs For those who are a little more adventurous and love to dive, we recommend coordinating a day or two with the Rainbow Reef Dive Center. Make these plans ahead of time and enjoy the breathtaking reefs and warm waters of the Keys. With an abundance of marine life, colorful coral formations, and crystal-clear visibility, scuba diving in Key Largo is an unforgettable experience. Beach, Pool & Sunset Magic Between fishing trips and seafood feasts, we made time to unwind. A day at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offered snorkeling and beach time, while lazy afternoons by the pool were spent reading and sipping cocktails. For sunset, here are a few recommends: Anne’s Beach in Islamorada – A serene spot to catch the colors of the evening sky. Snooks Bayside Restaurant – Enjoy cocktails and apps with a side of sunset views. Sunset Cruise (Viator options available) – Because everything looks better from the water. The Perfect Spring Break Getaway From hauling up crab traps to reeling in snapper, savoring fresh sushi, snorkeling, and biking along the coast, this trip to Key Largo had the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re in the mood for deep-sea fishing or just a beachside cocktail, the laid-back vibe of the Florida Keys makes it the ultimate spring break destination. Have you been to the Keys? Tell us your favorite seafood spot or sunset view in the comments! Want to add a little Key’s flavor to your life, try making our Key Lime Pie. Our recipe is a delightful balance of tart and sweet. This pie offers a refreshing and tangy finish to any meal, capturing the essence of the Florida Keys. Enjoy!