Best Decorating Cookies

Every year since our teens, my sister and I would make "masjid cookies" around the Eid holiday. However, the cookie base is critical because shape matters, especially on the minoret's of these cut outs. This recipe gives you a buttery, tasty, easy to shape, and easy to decorate cookie. You can make any shape as you desire and you can decorate with your frosting or sprinkles of choice! Note: prepping the dough ahead of time is critical as this recipe requires at least 1 hour of refrigeration and at least a 1 hour period for cooling off the hot cookies.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup (1 and 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
3/4 cups granulated white sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 and 1/4 cup all purpose flour

Instructions:

Following these instructions exactly will provide the best results.

1. Using an electric hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until you get a light and fluffy texture. This takes about 5 minutes.
2. Add the egg, vanilla, baking powder, and salt. Mix until all ingredients are fully combined.
3. In 1/2 cup increments, add in the flour. Once each 1/2 cup of flour is fully integrated into the dough, add the next 1/2 cup of flour.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 1 to 2 hours.
5. Once the dough has chilled, roll out the dough to a 1/4 inch thickness with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface. It often helps to flour the rolling pin as well.
6. With cookie cutters, make your desired shape. The smaller the cookie shape, the less cook time you will need. Re-roll and cut until all dough is used.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. The sides will just barely begin to turn golden brown. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the cookie sheet.
8. Do not decorate the cookies until the cookies are cooled COMPLETELY. This will take at least an hour.
9. Decorate with your frosting and sprinkles of choice. Enjoy these cookies and store any extra at room temperature in a sealed container. These usually stay fresh for a few days. I have refrigerated these cookies before and they can last even longer. However, if you decide to refrigerate, you should let them warm to room temperature prior to serving.

#halahbakes