Vanilla Bean Cut-Out Cookies
{makes about 12 four-inch cookies}
3 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup cold salted butter, cut into chunks
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
Line cookie sheets with parchment. Preheat oven to 350.
Whisk the flour and baking powder together. Set aside.
Cream the sugar and butter for several minutes until combined and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla bean paste.
On low speed, add the flour in three additions, scraping down the bottom and sides of the bowl each time. Beat until the dough comes together.
[Note: there will likely be bits of dry flour in the bottom of the bowl. That's ok. Knead this into the dough by hand.]
On a floured surface and using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough to 1/4-3/8" thickness. Dip cookie cutters into flour and cut out shapes. Place shapes onto a prepared pan and freeze for 5-10 minutes before baking. This helps them keep their shape.
Bake for 9-13 minutes, depending on the cutter size. Cookies should appear done in the centers, but without much coloring. Cool on a wire rack before decorating with royal icing.
{Please see the full post for more details and photos here: http://www.bakeat350.net/2019/04/vanilla-bean-cut-out-cookies.html}
