I’ve been told I have an old soul. I love all things vintage and old-fashioned, whether it’s clothing, ideals, or recipes. My Grandma Charlotte passed at Christmas time when I was a baby. It was hard on my Mom, but we made her sugar cookie recipe every year to honor her memory. This is the REAL DEAL. It’s not some fancy-schmancy dough in a bag that is artificially made to create the most perfect Martha-Stewart-Pin-Worthy cookies. It’s old-timey dough and an old-timey recipe.
My Mom and I would listen to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and dance in the kitchen as we made cookies. The memories are so fond. Grandma Charlotte, her Mother, passed away at Christmas the year I was born, so it’s always been a bittersweet time in our home. This is one of the only pictures we have of me and Grandma Charlotte.
Grandma Charlotte’s cookies best made with vintage cookie cutters.
I will warn you, it’s a cantankerous dough so you may have to talk to it, beg, curse at it or encourage it to behave. It’s also an overnight dough, so you have to actually plan to make the sugar cookie recipes. You can’t just have a free afternoon and say oh let’s make cookies.
When I was a kid, I often got to invite a friend over to help me decorate the cookies. Or have Daddy help.
We have passed down the tradition and before I had to go gluten free, Stepson would help to make and decorate the cookies. He invited a friend over, and the carnage began!
These cookies take some effort, but are totally worth it. Wouldn’t these cookies be great to serve on this adorable Mrs. Claus Cookie Co tray with a glass of (vegan) milk and a seasonal straw?
Psst… want beautiful Scripture + Gratitude printables to celebrate the beauty of the Advent Season? Click below…
I know we are all super busy, and everyone is looking for a quick and easy sugar cookie to make. Got it. But I think it’s more important to preserve our family traditions and preserve our past.
I know these cookies are going to end with me, especially now since I have to eat gluten free and can’t make them anymore. So humor me here and appreciate the history and memories.
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For all of you baking purists, click on the recipe photo for a new webpage and printable recipe.
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Advent Scripture + Gratitude Printables
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Are you Inspired?
Love, hugs and making crumbs. And memories.
I love sharing traditions that have been passed down through families. It’s what make Christmas so special. I’ll have to give Grandma Charlotte’s sugar cookies a try this year. (love the younger you photo!)
Hi Susan – Oh I was such the 80’s girl! The taste of these cookies is unlike any other sugar cookie I’ve ever tried. Hugs, Holly
What a wonderful way to honor your grandmother’s memory. I love recipes handed down from one generation to the next.
Hi Corinne – Thank you and not sure if these cookies will leave a legacy beyond me, but I’ll try! Hugs, Holly
Holly, your Grandmother, Charlotte would be so happy and proud that you are carrying on the tradition of making Christmas Cut-Out Cookies. Lots of fond memories. Mom
Hi Mom, Lots of fun dancing in the kitchen to rockin around the Christmas tree! LYB, Holly
I remember having those same cookie cutters and making sugar cookies with my mother. I wonder where her cookie cutters ended up?
It is raining today (a rare thing on our part of the California coast) and since we can’t cut down our tree today, I think sugar cookies will be our activity. Your recipe sounds good because of the sour cream. Although, I don’t like the sound of a cantankerous dough.
What a sweet post. Love hearing about people’s traditions and the things that make Christmas special.
Cindy
So glad you are keeping up the memory. I just discovered a few of my grandmother and mother’s recipes. I was thrilled.
Your story brought tears to my eyes. And also totly fraked me out. Lol. I also had a Grandma Charlott that i lost very young. My mother, little rotber an i would make her recipe everyyear in honor of her while jamming to christmas tunes. I just made the recipe today and was telling my 4 year d sone the same story you share with your children. Very odd an neat at the same time. My dough is chilling waiting for tomorrow.
And then to top it off, lol. To the woman named Corinne who commented…. My grandma Charlott has a daughter named Corinne. My awesome Aunt
Hi Annette – Oh my goodness we are sisters at heart with all of these connections. Thanks so much for sharing your special story and thanks for visiting. Good luck with your cookies! Hugs, Holly
Brings back lovely memories. Thank you for sharing on Snickerdoodle Sunday!
Hi Kristina and Millie – You are never too old to make sugar cookies! Hugs, Holly
I love recipes like this. I actually have two sugar cookie recipes: one for when I want Martha Stewart like cookies and my grandma’s which uses lard! lol. Thank you for sharing your memories!
Hi Maria – Oh I’m totally with you! The “Martha Stewart cookie recipe” comes out for company LOL! Hugs, Holly
Oh what a great story. I’d love for you to share your post on our Christmas Cookie party. http://www.somersetlaneblog.com
Hi Bette – Thank you so much for the invitation! Can’t wait to party with you. Hugs, Holly
Thanks for linking to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. Hope to see you next week.
Hi Cynthia – Thanks so much and thanks for hosting! Hugs, Holly
Wonderful, sentimental post! Sugar cookies are the best! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thrusday,
Kathy
Hi Kathy – These are very special sugar cookies… and pretty good to eat too! Hugs, Holly
Love this post! I’ve featured at in tomorrow’s Everyday Vintage party — thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Lisa, Oh my goodness, thank you so much. Tomorrow is the anniversary of Grandma Charlotte’s untimely passing so I know my Mother will be grateful of your kind gesture. Hugs, Holly
Congrats! You will be featured on Friday’s Five Features over on DIY Vintage Chic. Stop by tomorrow and grab yourself a button!
Hi Becca – I am so thrilled and honored, thank you so much. It’s the anniversary of Grandma Charlotte’s passing so what a wonderful way to honor her legacy. Hugs, Holly
How Lovely! I have some of those same cookie cutters and they belonged to my grandmother. I love using tried and true recipes.
Hi Lakita – Oh how wonderful that you have your Grandmother’s cookie cutters! I love being able to carry on her tradition every year. Thanks so much for stoping by to share and happy holidays to you! Hugs, Holly
Traditions make Christmas so special! Wonderful, sentimental post!
Hi Evgenia – Thanks so much for stopping by! We are certainly a very sentimental family! Hugs, Holly
These look AMAZING!!!!! Can’t wait to try them
Hi Kat – I hope you enjoy them! They are very old fashioned, but worth the tradition! Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Hugs, HOlly
Holly I love this post! I also use my great-grandmother’s cookie cutters. Every year my Mother and I set out on making cookies identical to yours.
This year is tough, due to timing, but also the fact my Mom is suffering from Demensia. I wanted to continue the tradition but it has been an emotional trip for me. I kept going back and forth with It wouldn’t be the same. Do I do it for the sake of saying we have never missed a year or let it pass one year. I am happy to say, your photos and post have given me the umpfh I needed to just do it. Even if it isn’t the same, it is memories good and bad, and more importantly I can’t wait to have them for myself.
I found you on Hit Me With Your Best Shot Link Party.
Thanks! – Jeannine
Hi Jeannine – Thank you so much for stopping by to share your story! This time of year can be difficult when we are dealing with illness or the loss of loved ones and I’m so glad to have helped you find your inspiration. Christmas blessings to you and your family. Hugs, Holly
This is exactly the way we grew up decorating our sugar cookies! My mom, grandma and I (and whichever aunts were available) would get together for the big day. It was always one of my favorite parts of Christmas. Now I usually ice my cookies, but I need to make a batch like this for good time sake!
Hi Carlee – Thank you for sharing your sweet memories! These cookies are definitely more about the love and memories but they are so worth it to make. It’s always been tradition when I was growing up and now with my Stepson and friends’ kids to help decorate. Hopefully they will share the same memories some day. Hugs, Holly