Kathy's Shaped-Cut Sugar Cookies

for Holidays & Special Occasions

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
(1 teaspoon of food coloring is optional as per occasion)
3 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:
In a large bowl, thoroughly cream together butter and sugar.

Beat in eggs, salt, and vanilla until light and fluffy. You may add 1 tsp.
food coloring at this time for specific holiday or occasion.

Add flour to creamed mixture, one cup at a time, slowly mixing until flour is
incorporated.

Divide dough into four equal parts. Wrap in plastic wrap or bags and refrigerate
overnight or until firm. After firm:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

On a floured surface, roll out dough one package at a time to 1/8 inch thick.

Cut into desired shapes. Remove excess dough before taking the cutter away.

Using a thin metal spatula, transfer shapes to lightly greased baking sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar.

Bake cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. CAREFULLY WATCH THEM, so that
they DON'T BURN!

Another method is to bake them bare and wait until they cool to add
decorating icing or Royal Icing* for drawing &/or flooding; fresh or powdered
egg whites brushed on and then sugared or sprinkled sanding sugar on those areas
of the cookie you want decorated.

*Royal Icing
Makes about 2 1/2 cups
2 large egg whites*, or more to thin icing
4 cups sifted confectioner's (powdered) sugar, or more to thicken icing
Juice of 1 lemon
3 drops glycerin (optional)

Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Add sugar, lemon juice, and
glycerin (if using); beat for 1 minute more. If icing is too thick, add
more egg whites; if it is too thin, add more sugar.