Easter Cookies

I love sugar cookies! The thing that is so great about them is that cookie cutters come in pretty much any shape imaginable. I was going through some of the the cut-outs my Grandma gave me a while back and found one that is that is the shape of an axe. Not really sure what occasion that one is for, but I'll have to use it some day. A great place to find them is Fancy Flours...along with tons of other fun decorating items. The Alice in Wonderland cookie cutters are so cute! If anyone wants to buy them for me, I would be totally open to that idea.

The cookie and royal icing recipes are from MarthaStewart.com. I thought the cookies turned out great, but I probably wouldn't use the icing recipe again, just because it set up so hard.

Sugar Cookies
makes 2 dozen

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, beaten
2 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Royal Icing
makes 2 1/3 cups

1 box of confectioners' sugar (1 pound)
5 Tbsp. meringue powder, or 2 large egg whites
add 1/2 cup water or more for a thinner consistency (I added more, but didn't measure it)
(I used the meringue powder - maybe it would have been less firm with the egg whites. I also added some vanilla extract and almond extract for flavoring.)

Directions:
1. Whisk flour, salt and baking powder in a medium bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar; add dry ingredients and mix until incorporated. With mixer running, add egg, milk and vanilla, until incorporated.
2. Transfer dough to a work surface. Shape into 2 discs, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with nonstick baking mats or parchment paper, set aside.
4. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes, and transfer to prepared baking sheets, leaving an inch in between. Leftover dough can be rolled and cut once more. Bake until lightly golden, about 10 min.; do not allow to brown. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
5. Ice when cooled.