Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring

Instructions:

  1. Cream butter and sugar. Using your mixer on high, beat the chilled butter and granulated sugar for 2 minutes until the mixture is pale and fluffy. Note: Don't over beat or you'll incorporate too much air.
  2. Mix in wet ingredients. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  3. Whisk dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Combine dough. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet. Mix just until a soft dough forms. Note: Over mixing here makes the cookies tough.
  5. Roll the dough. Place the dough directly on parchment paper. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness.
  6. Cut shapes. Use your cutters to press out shapes. Do this quickly while the dough is cool.
  7. Bake cookies. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes until the edges are barely golden.
  8. Cool. Move the cookies to a wire rack immediately.
  9. Make the icing. Whisk powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until the glaze is glossy and thick.
  10. Decorate. Divide icing into bowls, add gel colors, and pipe onto cooled cookies. Let set for 15 minutes.