Step 1

To make the dough, cream together butter and sugar for 30 seconds (just enough until the butter and sugar are incorporated). Add egg and vanilla and mix until well combined. Add the flour and mix until all flour is incorporated, about 30 seconds. Do not overmix. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Step 2

Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat and lightly "flour" a clean surface with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Step 3

Roll dough until about 1/2 inch thick, then use your cookie cutters to cut desired shapes. Place cookies on cookie sheet. Once all cookies are cut out, place cookie sheet in the fridge for at least 1 hour to cool. This is an essential step to prevent the cookies from spreading when baking. (See Notes for additional tips to avoid spreading.)

Step 4

Preheat oven to 350º F and bake cookies for 13-15 minutes or until the bottom of the cookies are slightly brown. Remove cookies from oven and cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Allow cookies to fully cool before icing.

Step 5

Mix egg whites in a standing mixer over medium speed for 1 min. Add butter, vanilla and powdered sugar until all ingredients are well incorporated. If frosting is too stiff, add a little bit of milk; if mixture is too runny, add more powdered sugar.

Step 6

Add dye (as desired) to frosting and decorate cookies. If decorating with multiple colors, divide icing into separate bowls before adding food dye(s). Enjoy!