Prep time: 15 minutes

Bake time: 13-15 minutes

Rest time: 2-3 hours/ overnight

Cookie Materials:

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbs. vanilla extract
• 4 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Icing Materials:

• 2 egg whites at room temp
• 3-4 tbs. lemon juice
• 2 cups confectioners sugar (if the icing seems too thick add 1 tbs of water at a time until you reach the consistency that you like)

Process:

1. In a small mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix and set aside.
2. Into the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment add in the softened butter and sugar. Mix for a few minutes until the butter and sugar mixture are fully combined.
3. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract. Continue to mix until everything is incorporated.
4. Gradually start to add in the dry ingredients and continue to mix until everything is incorporated and the dough comes together.
5. Lightly flour a clean surface and remove the dough from the bowl. Knead the dough by hand just to pull the dough together. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
6. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and line a baking sheet with some parchment paper.
7. Remove the dough from the fridge and let sit for 8-10 minutes to allow it to come to room temperature.
8. Cut the dough in half and working with one half at a time roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness.
9. Taking your desired cookie cutters cut out the shapes of your cookies. Place on the baking sheet and bake 13-15 minutes or until the bottom of the cookies start to get slightly golden.
10. Place on a cooling rack and let cool completely.
11. To make the icing add in the egg whites into a medium sized mixing bowl. Using a hand held mixer mix until the eggs become frothy. Add in the lemon juice and mix for a few more seconds.
12. Start to gradually add in the confectioners sugar about 1/4 cup of sugar at a time. Once the sugar is incorporated with the egg whites continue to add in more sugar. Do this until you get the consistency that you’d like.
13. If the mixture becomes too thick you can thin it out by adding a tbs. of water or so.
14. If you’d like to add food coloring make sure to separate the icing if you’re doing more than one color. You can also just keep it white or a single color and top with some sprinkles.
15. Once the cookies are completely cooled start to ice your cookies and decorate them however you’d like. Set aside for a few hours for the icing to set and ENJOY!