Vanilla Cutout Cookies

These classic holiday cookies can be cut into any size and shape, and you can change the flavor of the dough with one of the variations below. Then decorate them with either Royal Icing (pictured) or Basic Glaze, and add whatever sprinkles or dragees you like. Have fun with them! This recipe is easily doubled.

Tip: For flavor variations, the vanilla amount may vary

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl with a hand-held electric mixer), beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and beater with a rubber spatula as needed.

Add the egg and vanilla and continue to mix until well blended, about 1 minute. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour mixture, and mix until well blended, about 1 minute more.

Divide the dough into thirds and form each piece into a 5-inch square. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, about 30 minutes. Using a rolling pin, roll a dough square between 2 pieces of parchment to about 1/8 inch thick and 11 inches square. Slide the dough and parchment onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate; repeat with the remaining dough, stacking the squares sandwiched in parchment on top of each other on a single cookie sheet, and refrigerate until very firm, about 45 minutes.

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and heat the oven to 350F/176C. Line 2 or more cookie sheets with parchment or nonstick baking liners.

Working with one square of dough at a time, peel off the top piece, then flip and peel off the bottom piece. Cut shapes and remove immediately or after 2 cuts as the dough warms quickly and then makes it difficult to put on the cookie sheet. Arrange them about 1 inch apart on the prepared sheets. Freeze until very firm, about 20 minutes.

Bake two sheets at a time, rotating and switching their positions halfway through, until the edges and bottoms of the cookies are golden (or darker brown for chocolate cookies), about 11-13 minutes. Meanwhile, press the dough scraps together, re-roll, chill, and cut more shapes; freeze. Repeat until all of the dough is used. Let the cookies cool on their sheets on wire racks for about 5 minutes and then transfer to the racks to cool completely.

Serve, decorate, or freeze the cookies.

Make Ahead Tips

You can refrigerate the rolled-out dough, wrapped well in plastic, for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before cutting out shapes.

Baked, undecorated cookies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 1 month; thaw in the refrigerator before decorating.

Decorated cookies can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Variations

Coffee Dough: Dissolve 1 Tbs. instant espresso or coffee granules in the vanilla paste or extract before adding with the egg.

Almond Dough: Reduce the vanilla paste or extract to 1 tsp. Add 1/2 tsp. pure almond extract and 1/3 cup ( 1-1/2 oz.) finely chopped toasted slivered almonds with the egg.

Chocolate Dough: Reduce the flour to 6-3/4 oz. ( 1-1/2 cups) and add 2 oz. (1/2 cup) unsweetened natural cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy, to the flour mixture. Increase the sugar to 1-1/4 cups.

Lemon Dough: Reduce the vanilla paste or extract to 1 tsp. Add 1-1/2 Tbs. finely grated lemon zest with the egg.

Mint Dough: Reduce the vanilla paste or extract to 1 tsp. Add 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract with the egg.

Orange Dough: Reduce the vanilla paste or extract to 1 tsp. Add 2 Tbs. finely grated orange zest with the egg.

Spice Dough: Add 1-3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon, 3/4 tsp. ground ginger, 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg, and a pinch of finely ground black pepper to the flour mixture. Use vanilla as directed.