How to Make the Most Delicious Christmas Butter Cookies

Butter cookies are a holiday classic for a reason: They’re delicious, versatile, and make the perfect foundation for sugary-sweet frosting. Using the cookie cutter of your choice, turn this basic dough into stars, Christmas trees, and more. But don’t stop here: Try more of our favorite Christmas cookie recipes!

Editor’s Note: This recipe was updated on December 23, 2020 to clarify that you need to add salt to the dough if using unsalted butter.

1 c. unsalted butter (no substitutions), at room temperature
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
3 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Assorted colored granulated sugars for decorating
Ornamental Frosting

Preheat oven to 350ºF. In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high, beat until light and creamy. At low speed, beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in flour, baking powder, and salt just until blended.
Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Wrap each piece with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm enough to roll, about 1 hour.
On lightly floured surface, with floured rolling pin, roll 1 piece of dough 1/8 inch thick. With floured 2- to 3-inch assorted cookie cutters, cut dough into as many cookies as possible, wrap and refrigerate trimmings. Place cookies, 1 inch apart, on large ungreased cookie sheet, sprinkle cookies with colored sugar now if you like, or frost with Ornamental Frosting after baking.
Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool. If you like, brush colored sugar remaining on cookie sheets onto piece of waxed paper to use again. Repeat with remaining dough and trimmings.
When cookies are cool, prepare Ornamental Frosting if you like, use to decorate cookies as desired. Sprinkle colored sugars as desired on frosting before it dries. Allow frosting to dry completely, about 1 hour. Store cookies in tightly covered container up to 2 weeks.

Notes: reviews on the website for this recipe have mixed comments. Many folks had issues with the recipes – too dry and not the best recipe to use. I have not made this recipe but added to the collection to try at another time.

Source:    https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a4281/christmas-butter-cookies-1129/