Frosted Butter Cutouts Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 
  FROSTING:
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 to 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• Green and red food coloring, optional
• Red-hot candies, colored sugar, Cake Mate snowflake decors and colored sprinkles

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the buttermilk and extracts. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight or until easy to handle.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
• Bake at 350° for 6-7 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
• For frosting, in a small bowl, combine the butter, confectioners' sugar, extract and enough cream to achieve spreading consistency. Add food coloring if desired. Decorate as desired with frosting and candies. Yield: about 8-1/2 dozen.

Frosted Butter Cutouts published in Taste of Home's Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook Annual 2002, p89