Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Sugar Cookies, Just Like Grandma Made

1. In a large bowl beat butter with a mixer on medium 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat until combined, scraping bowl as needed. Beat in sour cream, egg, vanilla, and lemon zest (if using). Beat in flour. Divide dough in half. Wrap and chill until easy to handle, 1 hour.

2. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface roll one portion of dough at a time to 1/4-inch thickness. Use floured 2 1/2- to 4-inch cookie cutters to cut out shapes, rerolling scraps as needed. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets.

3. Bake until bottoms are light brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; cool. If you like, drizzle or brush with Powdered Sugar Icing.

How to Make Powdered Sugar Icing

In a small bowl combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp. milk, and 1/4 tsp. vanilla. Stir in additional milk, 1 tsp. at a time, until icing is desired consistency. If you like, tint with gel or paste food coloring. Makes 1/2 cup.