Sugar Cookies

A simple and versatile recipe.  This is an oldie I found in Canadian Living April 1995!  Kids will love to decorate!

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp nutmeg
pinch salt

ICING
2 3/4 cups icing sugar
2 egg whites
food colouring

In bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy; gradually beat in sugar.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  In separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt; using wooden spoon, gradually stir into butter mixture.

Divide dough into 4 portions; flatten slightly.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

On lightly floured surface, roll out 1 portions of the cookie dough to 1/4 inch thickness.  Using cookie cutters, cut out shapes; carefully place cookies 1 inch apart on parchment paper lined or ungreased baking sheets.  Repeat with all the remaining dough.

Bake in 375F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden on bottom and edges.  Let cool for 1 minute on baking sheets; transfer to racks.  Let cool completely.

Icing:  In bowl, combine icing sugar and egg whites; beat until thick and smooth.  Divide among small bowls; stir in food colouring.  Decorate cookies as desired.  Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Variation:
Cocoa sugar cookies:  For dark cookies replace 1/3 cup flour with unsweetened cocoa powder.  For lighter cookies replace 1/4 cup of the flour with cocoa powder.