German butter cookies

One of my favorite holiday traditions is making Christmas cookies.  My favorite cookie?  A delicious butter cookie (although shortbread is a very close second).  During the Christmas season as a child, my family would make butter cookies.  My mom would make the dough; my dad would roll the dough out, and my brother and I would press the cookies.  Then mom would watch while they baked.

{German butter cookies}

This year, I wanted to share this recipe because this is the first time that I have made the dough myself.  I rolled the dough out, and I pressed cookie with cutters that I used as a child.  It brought back so many good memories, but I also made new ones.

 {My mom prefers them with jelly in between, but I prefer the single cookie}

{Jelly-filled and single cookies}

German butter cookies

Makes 36-48 cookies (depends on the shapes and sizes)

2 1/2 sticks butter, room temperature (250 g)
2/3 cup sugar (140 g)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups flour (500 g)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
Zest of a lemon

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. In another bowl, mix dry ingredients together and whisk until combined.
3. Once the butter and sugar are creamed, add eggs and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy.
4. Slowly add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
5. Allow dough to sit in the fridge overnight.
6. Preheat oven to 350.
7. Roll out dough until about 1/4 inch thick; cut cookies out of dough.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges just begin to turn golden.
9. Cool for 1-2 minutes on a cookie sheet and then transfer to cooling racks.
10. These can be eaten plain, with jam sandwiched in between, and/or with powdered sugar.

Does your family make Christmas cookies?  Do you have a favorite?  If you're still looking for that perfect cookie, head over to this Christmas cookie recap for some ideas!

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