Recipe: Williams-Sonoma Animal Cutout Sugar Cookies and Holiday Cutout Cookies (repost)

ANIMAL CUTOUT SUGAR COOKIES (Williams-Sonoma)

"These classic cookies can be decorated in a variety of ways. They can be sprinkled with colored sugar crystals before baking or decorated with royal icing (click on the link at right) using a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip, or a small plastic bag with a corner snipped off."

16 Tbsp. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
1 piece vanilla bean, about 2 inches long
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Colored sugars and decorating pens

In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and, using a small, sharp knife, scrape the seeds into the butter mixture. Mix well.

In a sifter, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Sift the flour mixture directly onto the butter mixture. Reduce the speed to low and beat until well mixed.

Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball, then flatten the balls into disks. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. (The dough can be prepared up to 3 days ahead.) Let it soften slightly at room temperature before continuing.

WHEN READY TO BAKE:
Position a rack in the upper third of an oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 large baking sheets.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out a dough disk 1/4 inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut out desired shapes. Transfer the cutouts to the prepared baking sheets. Gather up and reroll the scraps and cut out more cookies. Repeat with the remaining dough disks.

Bake until the cookies are golden on the edges, about 8 minutes. Transfer the cookies to wire racks and let cool completely.

Decorate the cookies as desired with colored sugars and decorating pens. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Makes 24 to 30 cookies, depending on cutter size
Adapted from source: Williams-Sonoma Kitchen Library Series: Holiday Baking by Jeanne Thiel Kelley

ALSO SEE:

Williams-Sonoma Holiday Cutout Cookies
Board: Daily Recipe Swap at Recipelink.com
From: Betsy at Recipelink.com 12-8-2006
RE: Recipe: Christmas Cookie Recipes (24)