Two-Tone Butter Cookies

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

MAKES: 60 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Red and green liquid food coloring
• Red colored sugar, optional

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour and mix well. Divide dough in half; with food coloring, tint half red and half green. Shape each portion into a rough log, then place logs on sheets of parchment paper.
2. Roll dough in paper into an even, smooth 8-in. log, using a ruler to compact log and to squeeze out air as you go. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until slightly firm.
3. Cut each log in half lengthwise. Press red and green halves together. Tightly wrap each roll in plastic wrap; freeze for 30 minutes or until firm.
4. To prepare cookies: Cut into 1/4-in. slices; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool on wire racks.Yield: about 5 dozen.