Eggnog Cutouts

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 1/4 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter,at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon brandy
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons meringue powder
• White nonpareils, for decorating (optional)

1. Sift the flour, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and the salt into a large bowl.
2. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a separate large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Beat in the whole egg, egg yolk, the brandy and vanilla.
4. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture in 2 batches and beat until just incorporated.
5. Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.
6. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Dust each piece of dough with flour and roll out between pieces of parchment to 1/4 inch thick.
8. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
9. Cut into shapes and transfer to the baking sheets.
10. Gather the scraps and refrigerate until firm; reroll once to cut out more cookies.
11. Chill the cutouts 30 minutes.
12. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Bake the cookies, switching the pans halfway through, until just golden, 11 to 13 minutes.
13. Let cool 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
14. Make the icing: Beat the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each cinnamon and nutmeg, and 3 to 4 tablespoons water with a mixer on high speed until smooth and thick.
15. Transfer to a resealable bag and snip a small corner; pipe onto the cookies and decorate with nonpareils.
16. Let set 30 minutes.
17. Photograph by Andrew Purcell

flour, nutmeg, ground cinnamon, salt, butter, sugar, egg, brandy, vanilla, sugar, meringue powder, white nonpareils

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/eggnog-cutouts.html (may not work)