Every year at Christmas my mother-in-law makes the world’s best Christmas cookies. They are the definition of delicious. And I’m not a cookie person.
They are basically ‘just’ sugar cookies, but damn they are good. Between the fact that they have a ton of butter in them, and involve a lot of rolling and cutting out and re-rolling, they are only trotted out once a year. But when they are — mmm.
Luckily, my mother-in-law gave me the precious recipe for my Wedding Recipe Book, and I’m now sharing it with you, so you, too, can share in the joy.
Ginny’s Kick-Ass Holiday Cut Out Cookies
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp water
- 3 cups flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla together. Add egg and water. Beat well. Mix dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt). Add to cookie mixture and mix well.
Divide dough in half and chill for one hour.
Flour the counter and the rolling pin. Roll out the dough and use (Christmas-themed) cookie cutters to cut into shapes. Sprinkle with colored sugar.
Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375F for 8-10 minutes. Cool for ~ 2 minutes on the pan, then remove to wire rack to cool more.
Tip: You can brush cookies with a little milk before sprinkling on sugar to help it stick. Makes ~ 4 dozen.
