Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Simple but Amazing Shortbread Cutout Cookies

                  



                       Thank you Carol for organizing this fun event again.  I love trying the new recipes each year.
                                                                      http://www.justletmequilt.com/

                 Simple Cutout Cookies




2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
Combine and set aside

1 cup room temp Butter
¾ Cup powdered sugar
Cream together and add
1 tablespoon vanilla or almond extract

Add dry ingredients and mix only until blended.  Over missing will cause toughness.
Divide dough in 1/2 put each half into a zip lock bag and roll flat. Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze.  Very easy clean up.

rolled dough
removing top layer of plastic
dough scraps 
    

Preheat oven to 350
Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon mats.

Remove dough from refrigerator and gently cut the top of the zippered bag off and remove it.  Use cookie cutters to cut desired shapes.   Place on cookie sheets.   I find it challenging to use cutters with small pointed edges but large stars work fine.  Reroll scraps of dough in new zippered bags and chill again.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.  Cool  5 minutes on sheet before removing and cooling completely on rack.


Frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
3-6 Tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
2 drops food coloring if desired.

Wisk powdered sugar, milk and extract.   If it is to thin you can add more sugar, to think add more milk.  Frost or dip into frosting just enough to cover the surface.  Place on cooling rack or parchment paper.  When cookies are completely dry store in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for an extended period.
I like to frost (dip) mine in white frosting and sprinkle sugar crystals on them to add a sparkle.