Christmas Cookie Cutter Recipe

'Tis the season for Christmas cookies!!!  That was one of my favorite things to do as a child was to make cookies.  I especially loved eating the raw cookie dough :)  That's the best part I think!  Salmonella, heck, give that spoon of raw goodness!  Any who, I loved getting our Christmas cookie cutters out and my Mom rolling out the dough and I would cut out my cookies.  I remember the reindeer was my favorite... I always thought of him as Rudolph.  I can still see myself on the counter, flour everywhere, so excited to make cookies.  I've tried to carry on that tradition since Brian and I have been together.  I especially can't wait for Vivian is old enough for her to make cookies and have her favorite cookie cutter.  

I've used several recipes, even the one we had growing up, but I was thumbing through this cookbook and found a recipe that I decided to give a try.  I prepared the dough the night before and kept it in the fridge overnight.  That's the way to do it kids.  I usually prepare my dough then make my cookies.  Having the dough in the fridge for a few hours makes cutting out the cookies way easier.  I don't know why I've never done that before.  Lesson learned.  

I also learned to use smaller portions of dough to make your cookies instead of using the entire thing.  Again, another lesson learned.  I better figure all this out by the time Vivian is old enough to help me in the kitchen.  

 It was almost an all day event cutting out the cookies, baking and decorating with a 5 month old in the mix.  She would do fine sitting in the kitchen with me and then she would get fussy.  I would have to stop and entertain her and then go back to what I was doing.  At one point I was holding her while icing a cookie and that little stinker slapped her hand into the icing.  I had to eat it off her little hand before she stuck it in her mouth. Yeah, I could have just got a wet towel to clean her, but I didn't want the icing to waste :)  That's a good excuse, right?!

After several hours, I managed to decorate the cookies.

 I made more, but this was all that would fit onto this plate.  They are delicious guys!  I've already put a few of them away.  My hips and stomach aren't too happy with me right now.  However,  they got Brian's approval.  So they must be good!!!

Sugar Cookies

• 1 1/2 C sifted confectioner's sugar
• 1 C butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp almond flavoring
• 2 1/2 C flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cream of tartar

Preheat oven at 375 degrees.  Cream butter and sugar.  Mix in egg and flavorings.  Blend dry ingredients and stir in.  Refrigerate 2-3 hours, or overnight.  Divide dough in half.  Roll out on lightly floured pastry cloth or counter.  Cut out desired shapes.  Bake for 7 to 8 minutes.