Traditional Decorated Christmas Cookies

Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, unsalted, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon rind, finely grated
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 cups flour, unsifted
• 1 -2 tablespoon water
• 3 egg whites
• 1 lb powdered sugar
• 2 -3 teaspoons water
• food coloring, sprinkles, etc, as desired

Recipe

• 1 beat together butter and sugar in small bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. beat in egg, lemon peel, vanilla and salt.
• 2 gradually beat in flour until thouroughly incorporated. add water, a few drops at a time, only until dough starts to come away from side of bowl.
• 3 wrap dough in plastic wrap. refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
• 4 preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. lightly grease 4 cookie sheets.
• 5 on lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8" thickness. cut out various shapes using cookie cutters or homemade cardboard patterns, or free-hand. reroll scraps and cut out.
• 6 make small holes with wooden pick if planning to hang cookies. bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until beginning to brown around edges.
• 7 remove cookies to wire rack to cool before decorating.
• 8 prepare icing: beat egg whites in small bowl with electric mixer until foamy. slowly beat in the powdered sugar. continue to beat until thick and creamy.
• 9 add just enough water to get a good spreading consistency. tint with food coloring, if you wish. spread evenly over cookies.
• 10 decorate with glitter, sprinkles, or cinnamon red hots, or as desired.