Elk (Or Other Animal) Cut out Cookies

In a big bowl combine butter pieces, flour, vanilla sugar, sugar and egg. Knead into a smooth dough. Wrap dough into cling film and refrigerated for 30 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough quite thinly (about 3 mm thick).

Cut out elks or other shapes using a lightly floured cookie cutter and place on a paper-lined baking sheet. If you like attach a currant to each elk for eyes.

Bake in the pre-heated oven at 190°C/375°F for 8-12 minutes or until just slightly browned around the edges.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes on the cookie sheets and then transfer to a wire-rack to cool completely.

Now you can add any decorations you might like to add. I used some eggnog flavoured icing dipping the cookies into it and attaching a chocolate chip as an eye afterwards.

Let dry.