How to Make Holiday Cookies

What would the holidays be without cookies? They are great for serving at holiday parties, adding to gifts and stocking stuffers. Baking holiday cookies can be a wonderful holiday tradition. If you have children, have them help you. It will become a family tradition you will treasure every year. If you don't have a recipe of your own, try this recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/3 cup butter or margarine
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Salt
• Holiday cookie cutters
• Holiday Sprinkles
• Holiday Frosting

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Beat butter and shortening on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.

3. Add sugar, baking powder and a dash of salt. Beat until combined, scraping bowl.

4. Beat in egg and vanilla.

5. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in the remaining flour.

6. Divide dough in half. If necessary, cover and chill for 3 hours or until easy to handle.

7. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the dough at a time to 1/8 inch thick.

8. Dip your holiday cookie cutters into flour and cut dough into desired shapes.

9. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven 7 to 8 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are very lightly browned.

10. Cool on a rack. Decorate with sprinkles and frosting. Makes 36 to 48 cookies.