Grandma Carr's Sugar Cookies

The historic Commodore Joshua Barney House shares a favorite cookie recipe for your next holiday party.
Sugar Cookies in Heart Designs

Grandma Carr's Sugar Cookies

Grandma Carr owned and lived in the Barney house for nearly 40 years in the first half of the 20th century. Each Christmas, the historic Commodore Joshua Barney House Bed and Breakfast bakes and shares her delicious sugar cookies.

Grandma Carr owned and lived in the Barney house for nearly 40 years in the first half of the 20th century. Each Christmas, the historic Commodore Joshua Barney House Bed and Breakfast bakes and shares her delicious sugar cookies.

Recipe courtesy of her granddaughter Jeanette Vollmerhausen and the Commodore Joshua Barney House.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 Tbs. vanilla
2 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. nutmeg

Directions:

In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.

In a second bowl, combine and mix well the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Stir flour into butter mixture 1 cup at a time. Chill dough for 3 to 4 hours.

Roll out dough and cut into shapes with cookie cutters or a knife. Bake on a sheet pan or a parchment lined sheet pan in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 10 to 15 minutes depending on the size of the cookie. Remove cookies to a rack to cool completely.

Next Up

9 Christmas Gifts You Can Put in a Mason Jar

Need a last-minute gift or the perfect way to present a gift card? These easy gifts in Mason jars should do the trick!

Make a Great First Impression With These Perfect Gifts for Meeting the Family

Meeting your significant other's family for the first time this holiday season? We've got you covered with thoughtful gift ideas guaranteed to make a great first impression.

Endlessly Customizable Layered Cheesecake Bars

Just one pan of these 3-in-1 cheesecake bars will fill your entire dessert tray or a Christmas tin for gifting. Get creative by swapping in your own fillings and toppings, or use our easy guide for the season’s most tempting flavors: Cookies ‘n Cream, Peppermint Patty and Pecan Pie. They all come from one pan and the variety is sure to please a crowd.

Gift or Enjoy: Endlessly Customizble Christmas Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Whether you're gifting them or serving them at a holiday party, we'll help you fill your Christmas cookie tray with ease. We’ve formulated one easy shortbread dough to be the base for three different cookie flavors. Cranberry-Orange and Toffee-Chocolate Chip are enticing and holiday appropriate, while Smoked Cheddar-Jalapeño offers an unexpected savory bite. Whatever their favorite flavor — this sweet or savory shortbread cookie recipe promises something for everyone.

How to Make a Scratch-Off Card for Father's Day

Give Dad a break this year with a DIY scratch-off lotto-style card with prizes like breakfast in bed, a free pass from mowing the lawn and a car wash.

The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $50 for Women

Show the ladies in your life how much you care with these thoughtful (and budget-friendly) stocking stuffer ideas.

25 Ornaments Under $30 That Make Great Gifts

These thoughtful Christmas ornaments are proof that good things really do come in small packages.

36 Best Gifts for In-Laws

Find unique and thoughtful gifts for the bonus relatives on your list.

Homemade Christmas Cookies for Dogs Recipe

No pups on the naughty list here! Santa knows that all dogs are nice year-round, so they deserve a special homemade holiday treat. Chicken broth and sweet potato give these cut-out cookies the flavor of a holiday dinner, while nutritional yeast gives them cheesy flavor without adding any dairy products.

HGTV Magazine's 2023 Holiday Gift Guide

The editors picked their favorite 50 gifts under $50. Find something fun (and affordable) for everyone on your list!

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.