My friend Amanda and I have known each other for 25 years. We met freshman year of high school, and our mutual love of hockey bloomed into one of the most important friendships of my life. The hours we spent on the phone in high school probably funded AT&T throughout the 90s, and not a day goes by that I don’t wish we lived on the same side of the country (I’m in Pennsylvania, while she’s in California) so that we could actually see each other in person. Fortunately, Facebook and texting keep us closely connected, but sometimes I just wish I could sit in her living room with her, drinking tea, talking about everything and nothing.

Amanda is a remarkable woman, raising her son and daughter to be strong, independent thinkers just like she is. She’s also a fierce feminist just like me, so these cookies – named “Lady Liberty Cookies” by my equally feminist husband – are for her. I baked them in solidarity with her and with the millions of other women around the world who are fighting for equal rights, adapting them from The Essential Chewy Sugar Cookie from King Arthur Flour in honor of today’s Women’s March in Washington and various sister marches around the world.

I love you, Amanda! I could not be prouder to have such a strong and fantastic woman as my friend.

Ingredients

• 12 tablespoons butter, slightly softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2.25-ounce bottle pink sugar crystals

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper.

Place pink sugar crystals in a small bowl; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat butter on medium speed for about 1 minute; add sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and egg and beat until well-combined.

Add flour and beat to combine.

Using a 2-inch cookie scoop, scoop dough, roll into balls, and dip in sugar to coat completely.

Place cookies at least 2 inches apart on baking sheets; they will spread some when baking. I put 6 cookies per sheet, and that worked well.

Bake for 10 minutes, until edges are barely beginning to brown and centers still look puffy. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature (or pack them and mail them to one of your best friends ever).

Makes 22.