Christmas Shortbread Ornaments

• 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

1. Preheat oven to 350u0b0F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

butter, sugar, flour, cookie cutters, powdered sugar, water

Taken from recipes-plus.com/api/v2.0/recipes/24030 (may not work)