Aunt Missy's Cut-Outs
Plan B Mom's Aunt Missy makes these Cut-Outs every year with family and friends. Here's what she has to say:
"Every year from the time I was five years old, my Aunt Missy would have the whole family over to make hundreds of cut-out cookies. She would make one batch of dough and have my mom and one or two other people bring one batch as well. She would set up her dining room table covered with butcher paper, put out bowls of different colored royal icing, more sprinkles than you can imagine, cookie cutters, two rolling pins and then set everyone to work. It was always a great party with Christmas music playing and everyone was sent home with a box of cookies, plus we always had some reserved for Christmas Eve dessert (and for Santa!). It was always one of my favorite days of the year. And of course, the cookies are delicious!"
The recipe for the dough for Missy's Cut-outs is below. You can get creative with the icing, sprinkles and decorations!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, plus more for dusting
- 1/4 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preparation
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until smooth, about 1 minute.
Add the reserved flour mixture and mix on low speed until thoroughly combined. Stir in the vanilla. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.
Pre-heat the oven to 325°F.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. On a well-floured work surface, roll out the cold dough to 1/8-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out cookies. Transfer the cookies to prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are brown.