Silver Bells

These are the cookies that disappear first from the holiday cookie tray, and with only five ingredients in the dough, you can whip up a batch whenever the mood strikes.

Softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla create a rich, tender shortbread-style dough that rolls out smooth and cuts into any shape you like.

They bake pale and soft, not browned, which gives them that signature melt-on-your-tongue texture.

Once cooled, a quick powdered sugar frosting with a splash of vanilla goes on top. Add food coloring to match the season or keep them snowy white.

Kitchen Tips

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling if it feels too soft. Cold dough holds its shape better and gives you cleaner cut-out edges.
• Don’t overbake these. Pull them when they look barely set and still pale. They firm up as they cool, and even a minute too long dries them out.
• Dip cookie cutters in flour between cuts to prevent sticking and tearing.
• Add the water to the frosting a teaspoon at a time. You want it thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to spread smoothly with a knife.