![photo 2 Main](http://static1.refinery29.com/bin/entry/997/x/148085/photo-2-main.jpg)
3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated cane sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon Madagascar bourbon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk or buttermilk
1. Sift together dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, & salt)
2. Place softened butter and sugar in bowl of an electric mixer and beat until light and fluffy, smooth, and no granulation visible
3. Add the lightly beaten egg, vanilla extract, and milk and beat till combined
4. On low speed, slowly incorporate dry ingredients, continue beating until mixture begins to pull away from the sides of the mixing bowl
5. Divide the dough in two equal parts, wrap in shrink wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours
6. Once dough is ready, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
7. Sprinkle your work surface and rolling pin with flour. Remove one of the packs of dough from the refrigerator and roll out your dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes, and place at least 1 inch apart on a greased cookie sheet, parchment, or baking mat.
8. Place cutout cookies back in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes so they chill, chilling cut out shapes before baking will keep them from spreading & distorting the shape.
9. Sprinkle with granulated sugar and bake for 7-10 minutes or until golden brown
10. Once cookies are out of the oven, let sit on baking sheet for approximately 2 minutes, then move to cooling rack. Cookies can be served as is or decorated as desired. Can be stored in airtight container for up to 1 week.
1 cup sifted confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1-3 tablespoons milk
food coloring (optional)
1/4 tsp flavor extract (optional)
1. Combine confectioners sugar, corn syrup, and optional flavor extract & food coloring in a bowl
2. Add your milk a tablespoon at a time until your icing is runny enough to pour over the cookies, but not so runny that your cookies will absorb the icing
3. Pour the cookie icing over the baked cookies and spread with knife or offset spatula till cookies are completely covered, decorate with sprinkles, candy, or anything that comes to mind!
Photo: Courtesy of Sweetness