Black Cat Sugar Cookies

Preheat oven to 350.

In an electric mixer or food processor, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add Vanilla.

Add flour and salt and mix until dough just comes together.

Chill at least 30 minutes.

Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.

Using a black cat cookie cutter, dusted with flour, cut out as many cats as possible. Roll out scraps and cut out more cats. It may be necessary to re-roll the dough if it gets too sticky.

Gently transfer the cats to a cookie sheet lined with parchment. Bake 20-25 minutes until just starting to brown.

Decorate with colored sugar and royal icing Royal Icing instructions: Beat egg whites with confectioners sugar and lemon juice until smooth. If icing is too thick, add more egg whites; if it is too thin, add more sugar. It should be spreadable, but not too runny.

From the Black Cat Cafe & Bakery, Sharon Springs, NY http://blackcat-ny.com/