Vi Hotze’s Christmas Butter Cookies

Cookie Dough:

2 cups butter

1 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

4-1/4 cups sifted flour

Icing:

2 egg whites

¼ tsp cream of tartar

Dash of salt

2 tsp vanilla

3 cups confectioner’s sugar

Preheat oven to 375F.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in vanilla and egg. Gradually blend in flour. Divide dough fourths, cover, and refrigerate two hours, or until dough is easy to handle. Roll out ¼ of dough on well floured surface to 1/8” thickness. Cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters; place on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough. Shape hole at top for hanging cookies if desired. Bake at 375F for 6 to 9 minutes. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet. Cool. Ice and decorate.

Icing:

Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt until stiff peaks form. Blend in vanilla. Gradually beat in sugar until shiny peaks form and fold over softly when beaters are raised.

These cookies are a Christmas tradition in Robin’s family – not so much eating them, but the hours of gathering around the dining room table to create “works of art” decorating them!