Michele Morey Nelson has deep roots in Kewanee. Both of her grandparents were lifelong Kewanee farmers, and her parents both attended Wethersfield High School. Michele is my neighbor, and she is the best baker I know. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, she has shared her beloved mother-in-law’s recipe for Labor of Love Sugar Cookies with us.
Michele calls these cookies a labor of love because they can be time consuming, but in her experience, making them with someone you love creates priceless memories. She spends a day each Christmas season with her nephew, his wife, and their two darling children cutting out, baking and decorating Christmas cookies from this recipe.
Another afternoon during the Christmas season is always dedicated to doing the same with her grandchildren during their winter break from school. The level of the children’s participation has evolved over the years as her eldest grandchild is now 21, but Michele says the memories and conversations will always be treasured.
This recipe originates from Michele’s mother-in-law, Donna Bates Nelson, who passed away in 2017. Donna was raised in rural Kewanee and attended WHS. She married John Nelson and they farmed north of Geneseo and raised five children. She was known for feeding their farm workers a delicious sit-down meal each day at their large kitchen table, and was also known for her delicious homemade pies and cookies.
Several years ago, one of Donna’s granddaughters was preparing for her wedding. One of her favorite activities with her grandmother was making, baking and decorating these cookies. In an attempt to add a sentimental touch to the wedding dinner, her granddaughter asked if her grandmother would be willing to make the table favors for her wedding. Her request; two cut out sugar cookies in a cellophane bag tied with a red ribbon for each place setting.
This request would require five batches of cookie dough. However, Donna had to account for a certain amount of cookies that would be eaten by, husband, Grandpa John, as they came out of the oven, and also by the men who assisted with the daily farm work. So, the actual number of batches Donna ended up preparing for the wedding is really unknown.
To decorate and wrap the cookies for the wedding, four additional women came together around that same large kitchen table at Donna’s house. Michele says she can still feel the love and conversation shared that evening.
These cookies work for any season or holiday, including Valentine’s Day. Please let us know if you try out this recipe. From Michele’s kitchen to yours, enjoy!
Labor of Love Sugar Cookies
Makes 5 Dozen 2-3” Cutout Cookies
1 ¼ cup soft butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
5 cups flour*
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
½ cup milk (2% or whole)
In an electric mixer, cream butter & sugar. Add vanilla. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well until fluffy. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients alternately with milk to the creamed mixture, scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl periodically to get a good blend. If the dough is sticky, add flour to handle when rolling. Flour a cutting board. Roll ¼ inch thick, adding flour to the board and the rolling pin as needed. Using cookie cutters, cut desired shapes and bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Don’t overbake.
*Baking tip – When measuring flour, always fill the measuring cup by spooning with a separate utensil, rather than scooping with the measuring cup. This avoids packing the flour, which leads to over measuring. Level by running the flat side of a table knife across the measuring cup.