Christmas in Colorado

Merry Christmas! I am so thankful to be home for Christmas break. With just over three weeks off and no homework, I have spent the last week catching up with my friends and family, baking, and just enjoying the Colorado sky.

Here is a recipe for our favorite family Christmas cookie:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 to 4 minutes beating with an electric mixer). Add egg and vanilla, beating well. Stir in flour and salt. If dough is dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons water.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Use small cookie cutters, and decorate as desired. Bake on ungreased baking sheets until the cookies are golden brown on top, about 10 minutes.