Cut-Out Sugar Cookies - Xmas Cookie Magazine

By norsegal8

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tesapoon baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• dash of salt

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

in a medium mixing bowl, beat the butter and shortening on medium-high speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugar, baking powder and salt. beat until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.

Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer, then knead in the rest. Cover the dough in plastic wrap and chill for one hour, or until the dough is easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough at a time to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with cutters, and place on parchment -lined cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are firm and the bottoms are very light brown.

Remove the cookies from the oven and cool on the sheets for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorate as desired.

ROYAL ICING:
3 tablespoons meringue powder
1/2 cup water
1 lb. powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
food coloring

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the meringue powder, water, powdered sugar, vanilla and cream of tartar. Beat on low speed until combined, then beat on high speed for 7 to 10 minutes or until the mixture is ver stiff.

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of warm water, one teaspoon at a time, until the icing is the consistency you need.

Add food coloring if desired.