Butter Cookies - Three Cookies in One Dough

This dough has been made every Christmas in my house. This recipe can be used to make not only cut-out cookies to give your family a rest from the normal sugar cookie recipe, but also has two other variations. One can roll them out and add a dab of jam or a pecan or walnut before baking, or add chopped up walnuts and roll dough in confectioner's sugar to make snow balls. They're all delicious. (Just remember to chill before baking - that's the key.)

• Ready In: 2 hrs 8 mins
• Yields: 6 dozen cookies

Ingredients

• 3  cups butter
• 4 1⁄2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3  teaspoons vanilla
• 3  teaspoons baking soda
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3  teaspoons cream of tartar
• 3  large eggs
• 7 1⁄2 cups flour

Directions

1. Mix eggs, butter, and vanilla.
2. Add dry ingredients and stir well.
3. For Cutouts: CHILL WELL.
4. Roll out for cookie cutters.
5. For Jam Centers: Place dough on wax paper.
6. Roll into a tube form with the wax paper surrounding it well.
7. Place in refrigerator and CHILL WELL.
8. When chilled, cut off slices of the tubed dough to make a round cookie.
9. You can press a spot in the center for the jam to be placed, or just put a nut there for another alternative.
10. For Snow Balls: Before chilling, add 1 1/2 cups walnuts.
11. CHILL WELL.
12. When chilled, make small 1 inch balls out of dough and roll them in Confectioner's sugar.
13. Bake all three types at 400°F for 8-10 minutes.
14. The cookies should brown slightly.