Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 16 ounces (4 sticks) unsalted butter (room temperature,)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract OR vanilla bean extract
  • Royal Icing or Frosting
  • different kinds of sprinkles, jimmies, silver dragées, etc.

Instruction

  • Cream butter and sugar until fluffy (about 5 mins) with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. (You can also use a hand mixer or mix by hand in a large bowl).
  • Add vanilla extract and eggs then mix well.
  • Combine flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl.
  • Gradually add flour to the butter mixture, mix well together.
  • Divide dough into 2 sections.
  • Roll one at a time on a lightly floured surface to 1/8" thickness.
  • Next, cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
  • Using a straw, cut out a hole in the top of the cookie. Gently wiggle the straw around to increase the size of the hole.
  • Freeze the cookie shapes on the cookie sheets for one hour. (This prevents them from spreading).
  • After that, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Remove the cookies from the oven and use the straw again to open up the hole right away while the cookies are still hot and soft.
  • Then, let sit on the baking tray for 10-15 mins before removing to finish cooling on a wire rack.
  • Decorate each of the cooled cookie shapes with frosting, royal icing, or edible color markers.