GRADUATION CUT OUT COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
• Combine flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl; set aside.
• Place sugar and butter into bowl of heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Beat at medium speed until well combined. Add egg, vanilla and almond extract; beat until well mixed. Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed until just combined.
• While removing dough from bowl, knead to incorporate crumbs and form smooth dough. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness.
• Cut into shapes with 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter. Place onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until just beginning to brown around edges. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes; remove to cooling rack. Cool completely.
• For directions to achieve a marbled look, follow the steps in The Royal Icing Technique You Need to Know This Holiday Season.

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, add egg and butter and mix until combined.
• Sift the cake mix powder.
• Add this sifted cake mix into the bowl of wet ingredients.
• Mix until just combined. Don’t over mix.
• Cover and chill dough in refrigerator for 1-2 hours so that it's not sticky and easier to handle. Do not skip this step!
• Remove dough from fridge and divide in half. Work with one portion at a time and keep the other portion chilled in the fridge.
• Roll dough between two sheets of wax paper or parchment paper and use a heart cutter to cut out pieces. Make sure you are leaving enough space between each cookie so that there is enough space for them to expand during baking.
• Remove excess dough from around the shapes.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until the edges are firm.
• Allow the cookies to cool completely and then, remove them from the tray.
• Decorate with royal icing or glace icing. Enjoy!