Preparation Steps

• Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
• Add cold cubed butter and vanilla extract (if using). Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs and begins to clump together.
• Gather the dough into a ball. If too crumbly, add 1-2 teaspoons of cold water.
• Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 0.25 inch thickness.
• Cut into desired Christmas shapes using cookie cutters. Transfer to prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.
• Optional: Sprinkle with colored sanding sugar before baking.
• Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are just barely golden. Do not overbake.
• Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.