OLD FASHION SUGAR COOKIES

OLD FASHION SUGAR COOKIES 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 cup unsalted butter, (2 sticks), softened 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla Sugar, for sprinkling Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into a bowl; set aside. Mix butter and sugar until pale and fluffy in a mixer with paddle attachment, about 2-3 minute. Mix in eggs, 1 at a time, and then vanilla extract. Reduce speed; gradually add flour mixture, and mix until just combined. Scoop dough using a 2-inch ice cream scoop; space cookies 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Flatten cookies slightly with a spatula. Sprinkle tops with sanding sugar, then lightly brush with a wet pastry brush; sprinkle with more sanding sugar. Bake cookies until golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks using a spatula; let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days. Yield: 26 large cookies