Grandmom’s “Beaded” Cookies (butter cookies)

Butter cookie that is rich and flavorful – My sister and I would help my Grandmom bake these every Christmas. The cookies store well (although they never last very long at my house) and I have fond memories of eating these cookies with some hot chocolate after a day of sledding.

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: about 2 dozen

Prep Time: 1 hour (for butter to soften)   Cook Time: 7-10 minutes  

Ingredients

1 cup un-salted butter, softened (salted butter is okay – but NO margarine)
1 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 egg white
1/2 tsp water

Candy decorations (nonpareils)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375º

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla and beat till smooth. Gradually add flour and stir until mixed.

Beat egg white with water until foamy.

Roll dough into small balls and place onto cooking sheets lined with parchment paper. Flatten. (I use a #100 cookie scoop and flatten with a small glass.)

Lightly brush tops of cookies with egg white. Decorate. (I use nonpareils.)

Bake for 7-10 minutes, on parchment paper lined cookie sheet (or ungreased cookie sheet) until dough is set and cookies are starting to brown along edges.

Remove to a rack to cool.

Categories: Cookies & Bars

Submitted by: ajbolin on May 25, 2011