Bake Alphabet Cookies

What You Need:

• 4 ½ cups unsifted all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups butter
• 3 hard-boiled egg yolks
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 raw egg yolks
• 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Colored sugar, chocolate chips, or sprinkles (optional)

What You Do:

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Measure the flour into a large bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces and add them to the flour. Have your child mix the flour and butter with his hands until the mixture forms fine crumbs.
3. In a separate bowl, mash the hard-boiled egg yolks with the sugar. Stir this mixture into the flour mixture.
4. In a separate bowl, blend the raw egg yolks with the vanilla. Stir this mixture into the flour with a fork.
5. Have your child press the combined mixture into a firm ball. Cover and refrigerate it if you plan to shape and bake it later. Otherwise, you can work with it at room temperature.
6. Roll out the dough. Cut 3- or 4-inch strips and have your child roll them with his hands to make ropes. Shape the ropes into the letters of your child’s name, or into other letters he might like forming into words. Flatten the letters slightly so they’re about ¼ inch thick. If you like, decorate them with colored sugar or sprinkles. You can even press in a few chocolate chips.
7. Bake the letters on a baking sheet for 25-30 minutes.