Christmas Cut Out Cookies

From the Joy of Cooking, published in 1975 and handed down to me by mother

Go with "Roll Cookies" and double everything from what's in the published book and here's what I use

1 Cup of White Sugar

1 Cup of Salted Butter

2 Teaspoons Vanilla

4 Eggs

5 Cups of Flour

4 Tsps of double-acting baking powder

1 teaspoon of salt

I initially sift 2.5 cups of lour, 2 tsps of the baking powder and 1/2 tsp of salt, and then do that all over again

I initially beat the butter, vanilla, eggs together until well mixed, then stir/mix in the total flour mixture

Hand massage into two decent sized balls of dough into separate smaller bowls, cover with cling wrap and set in the fridge to cool. Best to let them chill for 3 to 4 hours before beginning to roll and cut

Pour flour on the counter, roll out the dough with a rolling pin, to about .5 inch thickness and begin cutting out the shapes. 

Put them on cookie sheets and back in the oven for about 10 minutes at 375 degrees.

Cookies should always have a base layer of frosting (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) and then decorate with additional frosting/icing as chosen and various sprinkles