09/18/2025
Hey my amazing friends!
As many of you know, running is my passion — it heals my soul, fuels my energy to keep up with my kids, and inspires me to dream up all those delicious cookies I bake for you!
But for me, running isn’t just about endorphins — it’s about making a difference. As I train for my second Bank of America Chicago Marathon, I’m proud to be raising funds to support our Fry Family YMCA, a place that builds community, strengthens families, and changes lives right here at home.
I’m currently $1,615 away from my fundraising goal, and every donation — big or small — helps bring us closer. Together, we can support programs that give kids a safe place to grow, families a place to connect, and our community a stronger foundation.
👉 Will you join me in this journey?
Click here to donate and cheer me on as I run for our Y: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/YMarathon25/ShirinNaderipour
💝 And because I truly appreciate your kindness, I’m sharing something special with you — my magic sugar cookie recipe! Perfect for treats, gifts, and little bites of happiness for your soul. Consider it a sweet “thank you” from me to you.
Thank you for your generosity and encouragement — you keep me moving forward every step of the way!
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
🌎👑 The World’s Best Sugar Cookies
Yield: Enough cookies to make friends, bribe teachers, or keep your family quiet for at least 24 hours (36–48 depending on size and thickness).
Ingredients
2 cups (aka 4 sticks, aka a small cow’s worth) of butter – softened
2 cups sugar (because one cup was cute, but we’re here to win bake sales)
2 eggs (farm fresh or grocery cart fresh, we don’t judge)
3 tsp flavoring (vanilla, almond, lemon… or whatever makes your taste buds twerk; emulsions recommended because the flavor sticks around longer than your in-laws) i mix two flavors
5 ½ cups flour (+ extra for rolling and for that dust storm effect all over your kitchen counters)
1 tsp salt (unless you’re using salted butter, then skip it unless you like “salty attitude” cookies)
Directions:
Butter & Sugar Spa Treatment
Cream together the butter and sugar until it’s fluffy enough to be mistaken for clouds. Don’t rush it — this is the foundation of cookie greatness.
Egg-cellent Addition
Crack in those two eggs like the baking rockstar you are. Add the flavoring — vanilla, almond, or lemon — and pretend you’re on a cooking show with dramatic background music.
Flour Power
Add flour one cup at a time on low speed (your mixer isn’t training for a marathon, keep it chill). Over-mixing = tough cookies, and nobody likes a tough cookie (except Chuck Norris).
The Chill Pill
Flatten the dough into two bricks (not balls, we don’t need bowling alleys here), wrap in plastic wrap, and chill at least 2 hours. You can even forget it in the fridge for up to 3 days, no judgment.
Roll With It
Lightly flour your counter, rolling pin, and maybe yourself for full baker effect. Roll dough to ¼" thick, cut into shapes that scream “holiday cheer” or “Tuesday snack,” and pop them on baking sheets. Pro tip: throw the sheets back in the fridge for 10–20 minutes if you want Instagram-perfect shapes.
Bake to Perfection
Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake 9-11 minutes, until the edges barely blush golden. If they’re brown, you’ve gone too far — these are sugar cookies, not toast.
Cool, Baby, Cool
Let cookies cool completely before decorating. (Yes, completely. I know you’re tempted, but melted frosting is tragic.)
Why These Are the World’s Best:
1)They don’t spread like gossip at school pickup.
2)They taste like happiness and therapy rolled into one.
3)They’re sturdy enough for decorating but soft enough to make you close your eyes and hum when you bite.
I'm fundraising for YMCA of Metro Chicago. It's an amazing organization. Everybody please check out my campaign! Find out more and donate here: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/YMarathon25/ShirinNaderipour
