Ingredients

The following ingredients have 9 Servings
  • 1 cup unsalted, butter at room temperature (2 sticks )
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1 whole egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract (can use 1/2 almond extract & 1/2 vanilla)
  • 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (sifted (don't skip the sifting!), plus more for dusting the work surface)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • For the Icing:
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk (I always add a bit more until the texture is right, if you use food coloring then you can use a little less extra milk)
  • A few drops of food coloring (optional)
  • *Icing should be thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon (but smooth enough to be spreadable.)

Instruction

  • Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed.
  • Add in the egg and vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt, then stir into the butter mixture with the mixer on low.
  • Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Line a cookie sheet with a silpat mat or parchment paper.
  • On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a 1/4 inch thickness and cut into your desired shapes with cookie cutters.
  • Place the cookies on the prepared pan and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are starting to turn golden, but not brown.
  • These cookies are supposed to not look done when you take them out, but they should be firm and set.
  • They will have a soft texture when cooled if they do not bake too long.
  • Transfer to a wire rack and cool while you prepare the icing.
  • To make the icing, sift the sugar into a bowl, add the milk and food coloring (if using) and stir.
  • If mixture is too thick, add a little more milk.
  • If mixture is too thin, add a little more sugar.
  • This is simple to adjust to get the right consistency.
  • Spread icing on cookies when they are completely cooled. The icing will set when they are completely dry.