The Perfect Cut-Out Cookies for the Holiday Season

It is always nice to spend time with the family around the holiday season while making a mess in the kitchen. Follow these steps inspired by Betty Crocker's Cookbook, to make delectable treats just in time for Christmas. Yes, there will be flour and sugar falling on the floor, but these cut-out cookies are well worth your time.

Cut-out Cookies

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:10 mins
• Total Time:15 mins
• Servings:45
• Medium

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2.5 cups flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• For the icing:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• A capful milk have more on the side
• 1 tsp. vanilla

• Step 1

  Set the oven to 375°. Put the butter large bowl and mix it with beaters until it is creamy. This should take a couple of minutes depending on the temperature of the butter.

  

• Step 2

  Add the powdered sugar and mix this with the butter until it is creamy. Watch out for flying sugar.

  

• Step 3

  Put in the egg and extracts, then cream. Make sure everything is well-mixed with no lumps.

  

• Step 4

  Add the flour and salt last. Take a wooden spoon and carefully mix the dry in with the creamed mixture. Twirl the bowl with one hand, while pushing flour into the butter mixture with the other. The dough will begin to form into a sticky ball when all the ingredients have been properly mixed.

  

• Step 5

  For the next step in making these cookies, you will need to bring flour, the dough, a rolling pin, a pan and cookie cutters to a flat table.

  

• Step 6

  Place a handful of flour and spread it around the middle of the table. Put flour on both of your hands and grab a portion of dough that will be rolled into a sphere to fit in the palm of your hand. Put this on the table with flour underneath and start to press down on the dough ball so it begins to become flat.

  

• Step 7

  Take a rolling pin and flatten the dough ball until it has a 1/8 inch thickness. Make sure to flip over the dough every so often, sprinkling flour on it to prevent it from getting too sticky. Warning: Do not put too much flour on the dough, or else it will become to firm.

  

• Step 8

  Take one of the cookie cutters and push down to cut through the dough.

  

• Step 9

  Use the cutters to make as many cookies as possible before reusing the dough.

  

• Step 10

  Place the cookies onto a pan, spaced enough so they are not touching. Once there is no more room left for another cookie cutter, take the used dough and combine with new dough from the bowl. Repeat steps 6-10 until all the dough is gone.

  

• Step 11

  Place the pan of cookies in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Once the cookies have been cooked to a slight golden brown, place them on a paper towel to cool for 5 minutes before decorating them.

  

• Step 12

  To take an extra step and decorate your cookies, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla and milk into a bowl and mix with beaters until it becomes smooth and thick.

  

• Step 13

  If the icing is too watery, add powdered sugar; if the icing is too thick add milk. Add food coloring if desired.

  

• Step 14

  Enjoy your beautiful holiday cookies with their savory-sweet taste.