best sugar cookie recipe, ever.

sugar cookies and christmas go together.  every year my mother and sister and i would cut out the cookies and decorate them with colored sugar.  there was always one problem:  after only moments out of the fridge, the dough would stick (to the rolling pin, the cutting board, our hands, everywhere).  we'd try different recipes, different methods, and still, the sticking problem persisted.

a number of years ago, i tried the following recipe and it is truly the best sugar cookie recipe ever.  it is, predictably, from my girl martha.

1 cup unsalted butter

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

4 and 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for work surface)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup buttermilk

with electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.  sift dry ingredients and gradually blend into the sugar/egg mixture, alternating with the buttermilk.  

wrap dough in plastic and chill until firm.  martha suggests 1 hour to overnight.  i generally chill this dough overnight.  it also freezes well.  

heat oven to 350 degrees.  on floured surface, roll dough out to approximately 1/8 inch thick.  cut into desired shapes.  bake until just golden but not too brown - about 10 minutes.