Classic Christmas cookies

this recipe makes 3-4 dozen
You will need:
assorted Christmas cookie cutters

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 eggs

1. in a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set the bowl aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl. put the butter and, with your hands or a rubber spatula, mash it to soften until it is smooth and not lumpy. Add the sugar and, still using your hands or the spatula, blend it with the butter until the mixture looks like light yellow colored mashed potatoes., about 2 minutes. One at a time break each egg into the butter mixture and mix until completely blended in. Add the flour mixture and continue mixing until a smooth dough forms , 2 to 3 minutes more. gather the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap and put it into the regfrigerator for at least 1 hour (or as long as overnight).

3. Before baking position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350f. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

4. remove the dough from the refrigerator and unwrap it dust a work surface with flour. Roll the dough out until it is 1/2 inch thick.

5. using cookie cutters of your choice, cut out the dough and put the cut out pieces on the lined cookie sheet when the cookie sheet is full bake the cookies until golden brown 12 to 15 minutes. remove the cookie sheet to a wire rack to cool.

6. repeat with remaining dough and another cool, lined cookie sheet.


When the cookies have cooled to room temp. decorate them as you like and let them dry completely store in air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks