Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Stars

CINNAMON SUGAR STARS

FOR THE COOKIE DOUGH:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
FOR THE TOPPING:
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 large egg white, beaten

TO PREPARE THE COOKIE DOUGH:
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt to blend; set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with a mixer on high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. On low speed, gradually add flour mixture, beating just until blended. Divide dough into quarters, shape each portion into a disk and wrap individually in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm enough to roll out.

WHEN READY TO BAKE:
Heat oven to 350 degrees . Coat baking sheets with nonstick spray. Have ready a 3-inch star-shaped cookie cutter.

TO MAKE THE TOPPING:
Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small dish.

TO MAKE THE COOKIES:
On a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin, roll out 1 portion dough at a time to 1/8-inch thick. Cut out stars and place 1-inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Chill scraps, reroll and cut out more stars.

Lightly brush tops with egg white, then sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. (To hang cookies, use a skewer to make a 1/4-inch hole at top of each.)

Bake 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheet 1 minute (if needed, enlarge or open holes with a skewer) before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: 60 cookies
Source: Woman's Day Cookie Cookbook