Nutmeg Sugar Cookies

Nutmeg Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup salad oil

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1. In a large bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat 1/2 cup butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until smooth. Add oil, egg, and vanilla and beat until well blended.

2. In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups flour, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. Stir into butter mixture, then beat until well blended. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and freeze until dough is firm, about 1 hour.

3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place about 2 inches apart on buttered 12- by 15-inch baking sheets. Press each cookie with the lightly floured tines of a fork to flatten slightly.

4. Bake cookies in a 350° regular or convection oven until edges are lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes; if baking two sheets at once in one oven, switch their positions halfway through baking. Let cookies cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then use a wide spatula to transfer to racks to cool completely.

YIELD: 3 Dozen