1995 BUTTER COOKIES

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 cups butter (room temperature)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
Finely grated rind from one lemon
5 1/2 cups flour

In large bowl, mix sugar, butter, egg, vanilla and lemon rind until well blended. Add flour and mix gently until well blended. Do not over mix. Chill dough for at least 1 hour, until firm.

Dust work surface with flour. Roll out dough until 1/4 -inch thick. Cut out cookies with holiday cookie cutters. Place on baking sheet pans. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven until golden on top and light brown on bottom. Makes about 4 dozen.

OPTIONAL: Before baking, cookies can be brushed with egg wash (one egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water and 1/4 teaspoon salt) and sprinkled with colored sugar.

- Jean-Luc Derron