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As a kid, we made sugar cookies with cookie cutters. These are the plastic type of cookie cutter that include both the outside shape and other details. For example, a snowman with facial features, a scarf, etc. Once they are baked, we used food coloring to paint on the cookies.

Years have gone by since we last did this. Our family decided to paint cookies with the kids, this year. Here is the sugar cookie recipe that we have use, originally from the old red family cookbook.

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• extra flour

Cream together powdered sugar, butter, egg and extracts. I use my KitchenAide mixer with the dough hook. Add flour, cream of tartar and soda, mix well.

Chill at least two hours (or overnight).

Roll out on floured surface and cut with cookie cutters.

Place on ungreased cookie sheet about two inches apart.

Bake 375 degree oven for eight to twelve minutes. They will be lightly brown. Cool a minute before transferring to a cookie rack with a spatula. Allow them to cool fully before painting them.