Butter Cookie Cutouts
By beltranm
"We use this recipe year-round for all of the holidays," says Laura Maychruk, co-owner of Buzz Cafe in Oak Park, Illinois (10 miles west of Chicago's Loop). "For Christmas, we make snowflakes and Christmas trees. The cookies are delicious even without the icing."
about 48, 2-1/2-inch cookies (or 20 to 24, 4-inch cookies) Prep: 45 minutes
Chill: 15 to 30 minutes
Bake: 7 minutes per batch
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup extra-fine granulated sugar or granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, cut into 1-inch pieces and softened
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- Decorative candies or colored decorating sugar (optional)
Preparation
Step 1
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, extra-fine or granulated sugar and salt. With an electric mixer on medium to low speed, add butter, 1 piece at a time, beating until mixture is crumbly. Add cream cheese and vanilla. Beat mixture on low speed just until a ball forms.
2. On a lightly floured surface, shape dough into a ball. Divide into 2 pieces. Use your hands to slightly flatten each piece, forming 2 flat round disks. Wrap each in plastic wrap or waxed paper and refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes or until dough is easy to handle.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 disk at a time to 1/8 inch thick. Using a 2-1/2- or 4-inch cookie cutter, cut dough into desired shapes. Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheets. (Reroll dough scraps.)
4. Bake in a 375 degree F. oven for 7 or 9 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are very lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks and let cool. Frost cookies with a thin layer of Cream Cheese Icing. If you like, decorate cookies with decorative candies or colored decorating sugar. Makes about 48, 2-1/2-inch cookies (or 20 to 24, 4-inch cookies).
Cream Cheese Icing: In a large mixing bowl, beat one 3-ounce package softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, beating well. If icing is too thick, add a bit of milk to reach spreading consistency. If icing is too thin, beat in additional powdered sugar. If you like, add food coloring as desired. Makes about 1 1/2 cups icing.