Cookie Cut-Outs

Makes three dozen.

What you need: 

• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, and more for the work surface
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• Nonstick cooking spray

What to do:

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed of an electric mixer for 1 minute.
2. Gradually add the sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Beat in the vanilla extract.
3. Measure flour into a large sifter set over a dinner plate. Add baking soda and salt to flour. Sift flour mixture into the egg-butter mixture and beat on medium speed until smooth. If the dough seems sticky, beat in a few more tablespoons of flour.
4. Remove the dough from the bowl, form it into 3 balls, and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least an hour, or overnight. (The dough may also be frozen for up to a month.)
5. When ready to bake, set the dough on the work surface for 5 minutes or until pliable. Knead it briefly with your hands if necessary until it is pliable. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Lightly sprinkle work surface with flour.
6. Roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out cookies with a table knife or holiday cookie cutters. Reroll the scraps and cut out more cookies.
7. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the bottoms are just starting to brown and the tops are firm. Remove cookies with a spatula to a wire rack. Let cool about 15 minutes before icing.

Plus: 
12 Cookie Recipes
How to Host a Cookie Exchange

Photo Credit: Mike Watson Images/Thinkstock