The Kitchen Reader: Memories Around the Holiday Table

by Jennifer

This month instead of sharing book reviews, members of the Kitchen Reader group are all sharing a holiday recipe that is special to them.

I decided to share my mom’s recipe for Christmas cut-out cookies, although to be fair, they can be and have been made many times at other times of the year. Although they are probably the most time-intensive recipe I make at the holidays (because of the decorating time), I always make at least one batch because they remind me of making and decorating them with my mom, and they make me (and the loved ones who ooh and aah over them) feel young.

I thought about tinkering with the recipe to make it fit my blog a little bit better, perhaps swapping in a natural sweetener for sugar, but ultimately decided to stick with the original. I did use wholesome ingredients (organic butter, sugar, and flour, cage-free eggs) and decided they were a treat worth enjoying (in moderation!) Here’s the recipe!

Christmas Cut-Out Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 sticks of butter, softened
  • 1.5 c. confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 2.5 cups flour
  • 1 tsp. cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp. baking soda

Directions:

  1. Cream butter, confectioner’s sugar, egg, and vanilla.
  2. Blend in dry ingredients.
  3. Cover and chill the dough for a few hours or overnight.
  4. Roll out on a floured surface and cut with favorite cookie cutters.
  5. Bake at 400 degrees for 4-5 minutes per batch.

For decorating, you could make buttercream frosting or Royal icing. I made Royal icing (using meringue powder) for the first time this year because it hardens nicely and I wanted to mail some cookies to relatives we won’t be able to see this year.

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2 comments

1 Jill { 12.27.10 at 9:55 pm }

Your cookies look lovely! I always made cutout cookies with my mom at Christmastime too, and it was so fun to make and decorate them.

2 Shelley { 12.28.10 at 9:06 am }

Love cut out-cookies! I try to make them with my kids each year and hope to create some great memories. Hope you had a nice holiday.