Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

     Sugar cookies are generally thought of and made at Christmas time, but I'm pretty sure they're not exclusive (I didn't officially check the legal rights of cut-out sugar cookies, but....)
   
   So, when it comes to wanting to make a cookie for a party or event that has a theme, cut-out sugar cookies should be seriously considered! Looking at the Bulk Barn, or a local place you know of, or even looking online, you'll find the cookie cutter you want, and you are on your way to having a themed cookie!  
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Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
(these cookies need 1 hour of chilling before baking! Fair square warning) :)


Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoons salt

For Icing:

• 1 cup Icing Sugar
• 4 tbsp milk, or cream

Method:

1. Using a stand mixer, or hand mixer, cream butter and sugar until it's light and fluffy. 
2. Beat in egg and vanilla, scraping down bowl as needed. 
3. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients and gradually add to creamed ingredients. Beat well.
4. Divide dough into fourths, flatten and wrap quarters with plastic wrap (diving it help with 2 things: 1. It cools faster so you can get working with it sooner, and 2. It keeps you from over-working the dough to help the cookies stay nice and buttery)
5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into shapes (trust me, if you don't, the dough will be too soft, and you'll just squish your shapes trying to lift them onto your baking sheet, and then you'll be grumpy.)  

....after the dough has chilled....

1. Let dough soften a little for easier handling. Roll out dough on a floured surface to approximately  1/8” thickness. 
2. Cut into desired shapes. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake @ 375 degrees F for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned (just on the bottom, not brown on top or these will dry out!) Time may need to be adjusted depending on the shape used. Smaller cookie=less time. Bigger cookie=more time.    
3. Cool on wire racks. 
4. To make the icing, simply mix the milk or cream into the icing sugar, and stir with a fork. If you want thinner icing, add a pinch more milk. Divide into however many colours you need, and add your colouring a little at a time until you've made the desired shade. Or just use it the colour it is!
5. When completely cool, glaze with frosting. The easiest way is to put the frosting into a plastic bag and snip off a corner (so you now have a piping bag). Pipe the icing on, then spread with a knife, or a clean fourth finger (you'll be more gentle if you use your fourth finger). To paint faces (or details) on the cookies, I used Wilton's gel icing, and a tiny paint brush.   

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​   This particular batch of cookies was for cats, dog bones, & fish for an animal themed party my daughter had.  
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​    These cookies turn out buttery, and delightful. They freeze well (just take them out and let them sit in a single layer to thaw before icing), and are really a super simple way to add some theme and colour to any event!