What is a good recipe for light & soft sugar cookies?

I've made these, too, and they're wonderful. http://food52.com/recipes/3880_chewy_sugar_cookies_1

These come out soft in the center and crispy on e edges. You can leave out the orange and cardamom if you prefer them plain. .http://food52.com/recipes/3873_orangecardamom_sugar_cookies

I do not make sugar cookies myself but your question intrigued me. I found this recipe at a website called http://peppermintplum.blogspot.com and the desciption sounds like what you are looking for. It makes a huge quantity so personally I would halve the recipe.
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
5 1/2 cups flour

In mixer, cream butter and sugar, and then add eggs and vanilla. Add sour cream. Combine salt, soda, and flour, and add to mixture.
Roll out on floured surface to about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick.
Use a spatula to carefully slide under each cookie and place onto greased (with Pam) parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes.
THEY WILL NOT LOOK DONE!
But don't give in to your temptation to cook "just a little bit longer" or you will get crunchy cookies instead of soft, pillow-like cookies.

Just a random answer until the sugar cookie bakers come along...I don't think anyone will have that particular recipe unless BA/Gourmet got it from them. Usually sugar cookies have to be rolled, which takes them out of contention for me, I hate to roll because I am short and don't have a good counter top for height of 5 foot person. Otherwise I would be rolling away, possibly. Have you thought of Snickerdoodles? They are basically drop or rolled cookies that can be thick, light and ALWAYS soft. You can roll in really nice Vietnamese cinnamon, or in a combo of sweet spices to make it surprising. If your family loves them plain, that might be a plan too. I like a butter or 1/2 and 1/2 butter shortening for those.