12 days of Christmas Cookies: Day 4

Sugar cookies are the foundation of Holiday cookies. This is for several good reasons.

1)It's a basic recipe. Quick to make and easy to bake.

2)The cookies lend themselves for decorating.

3)They're TASTY!!

Additionally, the craft of decorating cookies (which I have yet to master) also lends itself to an activity with the kids. That's the reason that this is the perfect holiday cookie.

• 1 3/4 cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg, large
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a small bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg and the vanilla. Add the flour mixture and combine. Knead together the dough until smooth.

Wrap the dough in plastic film and place in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

When ready to use, pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Roll out dough to 1/4" thickness. Cut out into your favorite shapes and place on a parchment-paper lined cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheet into the oven and bake between 8-10 minutes.

Remove and allow to cool for 20 minutes before icing.

Makes 2 dozen cookies or so, depending on the size of the cookies you create.