Simple Cutout Cookies for Kids

Or anyone who wants a forgivving recipe for cutouts.

UTENSILS YOU WILL NEED:

stand or hand mixer

rolling pin

cookie cutters

baking sheet

Parchment paper (just grease the sheet if you don't have it)

INGREDIENTS

* 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened

* 1 cup sugar

* 1 egg

* 2 T milk

* 1 t vanilla

* 1 t almond extract (or grated lemon or orange zest)

* 3 ½ cups flour

* 1 t baking powder

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°

Cream butter and sugar.

Add egg and beat until combined. Add milk and extracts or zest and mix well.

Sift together flour and baking powder. Add slowly to butter mixture and mix to combine.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, gently roll dough to desired thickness (I like them on the thicker side, about 3-4mm high) and form using cookie cutters. Dough can be re-rolled once or twice, but after that it gets too tough and should not be used - slam dunk it in the trash.

Bake on parchment lined baking sheets for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Or, you can sprinkle colored sugar before baking.

Cool to room temperature. Once cooled, you can frost and decorate them.