Soft Cut-out Sugar Cookies

THIS IS MY RECIPE FOR SOFT CUT OUT SUGAR COOKIES THAT I MAKE EVERY YEAR FOR CHRISTMAS. I HOPE YOU LIKE THEM!!!

the tools you will need are an: Electric mixer, spatulas, baking sheets, parchment paper, large cutting board or a counter,cookie cutters, and a knife

The first step is to gather the ingredients for the sugar cookies.

FLOUR: 2 1/4 CUPS

BAKING POWDER: 1/2 TEASPOON

SALT: 1/4 TEASPOON

BUTTER: 3/4 CUPS (OR 1.5 STICKS)

SUGAR; 3/4 CUPS

VANILLA PASTE (OR EXTRACT): 3 TABLESPOONS

EGGS: 1 LARGE

STEP 1

COMBINE THE FLOUR, SALT, AND BAKING POWDER TOGETHER IN A MEDIUM BOWL. SET ASIDE.

IN THE BOWL OF AN ELECTRIC MIXER, BEAT THE BUTTER AND SUGAR TOGETHER UNTIL IT IS PALE. ADD EGG, VANILLA, AND BEAT UNTIL COMBINED.

MIX THE DRY INGREDIENTS TO THE WET INGREDIENTS ON LOW UNTIL COMBINED, THEN DIVIDE THE DOUGH INTO 2, 1/4 INCH DISCS, LIGHTLY FLOUR THEM, THEN REFRIGERATE 1-2 HOURS.

ONCE CHILLED, LINE 2-3 BAKING SHEETS WITH PARCHMENT PAPER. ONCE THAT IS DONE, CUT THE COOKIES TO YOUR DESIRED SHAPE WITH A COOKIE CUTTER OR A KNIFE. BAKE YOUR COOKIES FOR 10-14 MINUTES, OR UNTIL LIGHTLY BROWNED AROUND THE EDGES.

ONCE COOLED, DECORATE WITH THE ROYAL ICING RECIPE IN THE NEXT STEP.

ROYAL ICING:

POWDERED SUGAR 4 1/2 - 5 CUPS

3 LARGE EGG WHITES

VANILLA 1 TEASPOON

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a bowl and a whisk), add the egg whites and vanilla extract. Mix together on medium speed until it starts to get frothy, about 15 to 20 seconds.

Sift the powdered sugar over the egg whites. Mix on medium speed until the sugar is absorbed. You might need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to get all the powdered sugar into the icing.

color the frosting to your desired color using food coloring.

(TIP for a marbled look, put a dollop of white icing on the colored icing, and dip the cookie 1/2 way in.) Now enjoy your cookies!