Butter Cookies

Since Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and I like baking, this year I am making holiday butter cookies I really like. There are a few butter cookie recipes that I've tried, but this one is my favorite. They never go out of style and are perfectl for any menu.



Ingredients:

• 1 egg yolk
• 8 oz butter
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

•  Preheat oven to 325 F
•  Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. I am using my Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer. Add egg yolk until well combined. Slightly spoon in flour (salt is added to the flour and mixed well) , until combined well, then add vanilla and mix just until combined. 
• Scoop cookie dough and put it on your lightly floured working surface. Now there are a few options on the shape of the cookies.

1. You can roll small balls and then press them on top with fork or with your palm
2. You can make spritz cookies using a star tip and a piping bag
3. Third option is to roll the dough flat and then make cookies using your favorite cookie cutters

 Arrange your cookies on a baking sheet leaving at least 1 inch between each one. Bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly browned. Baking time depends on the size of the cookies, smaller ones take less time.
 Let them cool down completely and you can eat them plain or decorate them. Just dip them in melted chocolate and add sprinkles of your choice.

Here are pictures of the cookies I made today, I made them round and decorated them with melted chocolate and sprinkles, coconut flakes and heath bits :)

I hope you enjoy them and I wish you happy holidays!