Butter Cookies

Butter Cookies

Super bad-for-you, but soooooo good.

First, add the butter to the mixer and whip.

Add the 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar and the 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Add the 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1 cup flour.  Mix well.

Then keep adding one cup of flour at a time, until you have added 3 3/4 cups.

Split dough in thirds and shape all three into thick logs.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

After 2 hours, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and cut each refrigerated roll into 1/4 inch thick slices.

Place on pans covered with parchment paper or pans covered with aluminum foil, sprayed with non-stick spray.  Put trays on middle racks of oven and bake for about 10 minutes (mine took about 14 minutes).

Butter Cookies

Cooking Time:  14 minutes
Prep time: 2.5 hours
Total time: 2 hours, 44 minutes
Makes about 4 dozen cookies (mine: about 50 cookies)

Per Cookie:
Calories: 98 calories
Fat: 6 g
Sodium: 10 mg
Carbs: 0 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 0 g

Ingredients:
2 3/4 cup (3 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Directions:
1. Whip up the butter in mixer until no clumps are seen.
2.  Add the 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar and mix.
3.  Add the 2 teaspoon vanilla and mix very well.
4.  Add the 3/4 teaspoon salt to the mixture and mix.
5.  Add one cup of flour and combine well.  Then, keep adding one cup of flour, until you get to 3 3/4 cups, mixing well after each addition.
6.  Split dough into thirds and shape each section into thick rolls.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
7.  After 2 hours, preheat oven to 350 degrees and cut each roll into cookies about 1/4 inch thick.  Place cookies on pans lined with parchment paper, or pans covered in aluminum foil, sprayed with non-stick spray.
8.  Place pans on middle racks of oven and bake for 10 minutes, checking often afterward (mine took about 14 minutes to fully bake).


** Adapted from The Food Network's (The Neelys') The Neelys' Butter Cookies recipe --  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/the-neelys-butter-cookies-recipe/index.html  **

Enjoy!