Christmas Shortbread Ornaments - cooking recipe

Ingredients

18 tbsp butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
3 2/3 cups flour
None None Christmas cookie cutters
2/3 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tbsp hot water
None None food coloring and edible silver balls (optional)
None None ribbon

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
For the dough, cream butter until pale. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture is light and fluffy. Sift flour onto a flat surface and make a well in center. Place butter mixture into well and knead into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 20 mins.
Divide the dough in half. Roll or press each piece to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with Christmas cookie cutters and arrange on the prepared baking sheets. Use a skewer to make a small hole near the top of each cookie. Bake for 10-15 mins, until golden. Cool for 5 mins then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, to make the icing, beat the powdered sugar and water in a bowl until smooth. Tint with food coloring, if using, and drizzle or pipe onto the cookies. Sprinkle with the edible silver balls, if using, and thread ribbon through hole.