My third offering for the Irish Foodies December Christmas themed cookalong(Jaysus, that's a bit of a mouth full) are these yummy Snowflake Cookies. These cookies are deliciously buttery and sweet with a beautiful texture. Don't just save them for Christmas time though, cut them into different shapes and enjoy them year round.
Snowflake Cookies
(makes 12+ depending on the shapes you cut)
225g/8oz Unsalted butter, softened
225g/8oz Caster Sugar
1 Large Egg, lightly beaten
1tsp Vanilla Extract
Pinch of Salt
450g/1lb Plain Flour
1. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy.
2. Add the egg, vanilla and a pinch of salt and mix again.
3. Gradually sift in the flour and continue to mix until incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
4. Form the dough into a round, wrap in cling film and refrigerate for a couple of hours until firm.
5. Line 2 baking sheets with greaseproof paper and preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4.
6. Roll the dough out onto a floured work surface to a thickness of 5mm. Dip cookie cutters into some flour and cut shapes out of the dough and place onto the lined baking sheets.
7. Place into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and firm to the touch.
8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
9. Decorate with some white icing(175g/6oz icing sugar sifted into a bowl, add 1.5teaspoons of warm water and mix to a smooth paste. Adjust the consistency with additional icing sugar or water if needed by adding a little at a time. Spoon into an icing bag with a fine nozzle attached.) or leave plain if you wish.
