These are another Christmas staple in our family – I’ve thrown many cookie decorating parties among friends and am now happy to continue the tradition with my kids. This batch is a special edition from my dino-loving 3-year-olds.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Earth balance
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 3/4 – 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt

Yield: 2 baking sheets (or two dozen give-or-take, depending on the cookie cutter size)

Preheat oven to 350^o

In a large bowl, beat the Earth balance with sugar until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually, beat in flour and salt. Do not overbeat.

Form dough into 2 balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll out half the dough to 1/8” thick. Cut into various shapes. Place 1” apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Sprinkle with sugar before placing in the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Variations

Sugar and spice: Sprinkle unbaked cookies with sugar and ground cinnamon.

Lemon: Stir 1 tsp finely grated lemon peel into dough at the same time flour and salt are added.

Chocolate nut: Sprinkle unbaked cookies with a light scattering of chocolate chips and finely chopped pecans.

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