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Christmas Cutout Cookies

These delightful Christmas Cutout Cookies are easy to make and perfect for decorating, bringing holiday magic into your kitchen.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened mushy but not melted
  • 1 cup sugar plain old white sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons real vanilla extract go strong
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract secret weapon for unbeatable flavor; can be swapped for lemon extract or omitted
For Glaze (Optional)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with a splash of milk and a smidge of vanilla

Method
 

Make the Dough
  1. Cream the softened butter and sugar with a mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add the egg and the extracts, mixing just until combined.
  3. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet ingredients, about a cup at a time.
  5. If the dough is too sticky, add an additional tablespoon of flour.
  6. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for at least one hour.
Roll and Cut Cookies
  1. Sprinkle flour on a clean counter to prevent sticking.
  2. Take a chunk of chilled dough and roll it to about ¼ inch thick.
  3. Use cookie cutters dipped in flour to cut out shapes.
  4. If scraps become too warm, return them to the fridge.
Decorate the Cookies
  1. Whip up a glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Color it with gel food dye as desired.
  2. Use toothpicks or spoons to decorate your cookies creatively.
  3. Let the base dry before adding more decorations to prevent sliding.
Store Cookies
  1. Cool cookies completely before stacking to avoid sticking.
  2. Store in airtight containers with a slice of bread to keep them soft.
  3. For stacking, place wax paper between layers.
  4. Cookies can also be frozen tightly and thawed before serving.

Notes

These cookies are perfect for family fun and are a fantastic way to create lasting holiday memories. Feel free to experiment with flavors and decorations.