Christmas Butter Cookies

How many of you get in the spirit of Christmas by baking all kinds of delicious cookies? It would not feel like Christmas if there wasn't flour, sugar and butter all over our kitchen counters. I have a VERY simple recipe I think you and your family are going to love.

Notice the picture to the left with the plate full of cookies. I made those on Tuesday and they were all GONE by Wednesday evening. Give this recipe a try and everyone will love you!

You will need:
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
3 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
Red decorating sugar

Mix together the flour and salt into a large bowl.
Put the 3 sticks butter in a separate, large bowl and beat with mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until combined.
Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, until the dough comes together nicely.
If the dough is not combined well enough, add one or two Tbsp of water and continue mixing.
Turn the dough out onto plastic wrap and pack together.
Refrigerate for atleast two hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Remove dough from fridge and let it soften for about 15 minutes.
Line two sheet trays with parchment paper.
Cut the dough in half and dust counter top and rolling pin with flour.
Roll out dough to a 1/4 inch thickness.
Cut the cookies into desired shapes and transfer to sheet tray.
Bake for about 8-10 minutes.
Repeat with the other half of dough.

Once the cookies are out of the oven and cooling off, mix 1 Tbsp of water with 1 Tbsp of powdered sugar. This will create a simple icing to layer on the cookies and then sprinkle with the decorating sugar.

Merry Christmas!