Cut Out Cookies

Don't they look sweet?

Cut out cookies are such fun to make if you have a little bit of time on your hands...and then a little bit more after that to ice them. That's when you can let your imagination go and call a messed up design "creative" and your own. (Speaking from experience)

You wouldn't believe it but I actually found this very good recipe on the back of my cookie cutter packaging, tested it out and decided it's just too good not to share.

I am not posting the icing recipe here as I used store-bought ones for this particular post. There will be another post soon for homemade icing....with more cookies! Besides, it's the season for cookies and what better time than now to go wild with your creations. Deck the halls......lalala......

By the way, I used to get into the Christmassy mood in June! It's gotten later as each year goes by ........ too many distractions.

INGREDIENTS

120 g unsalted butter

1/2 cup castor sugar

1 whole egg

2 cups self raising flour, sifted

3 - 4 drops vanilla essence OR

1 tsp vanilla extract

METHOD

Preheat oven to 170˚C.

Line cookie sheets with baking parchment or baking mat.

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add essence.

Add egg and beat well to combine.

Stir in sifted flour and knead gently into a ball. Divide into 2 - 3 portions (this is just to make it easier to roll out later), flatten slightly into discs, wrap with plastic and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.

Roll out each disc into 4 - 5 mm thickness on a floured surface or in between 2 plastic sheets.

Cut out with cookie cutters of your choice and bake for about 8 - 10 minutes or until the edges start to brown slightly.

Remove and cool cookies on a rack.

Cool completely before icing.