Eggnog-Scented Springerle Cookies

[nverland]

Eggnog-Scented Springerle Cookies
Prep: 30 mins Stand: 1 day Bake: 12 mins Total: 1 day Yield: Makes 2 dozen

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Step 1 Beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs; beat until fluffy. Beat in vanilla.

Step 2 Combine flour and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl. Beat into butter mixture gradually until combined.

Step 3 Roll half of dough to 1/4- to 3/8-inch thickness on a heavily floured surface. Brush flour on surface of cookie mold with a pastry brush. Press mold firmly onto flat surface of dough, and then lift straight up. (Re-flour mold for each pressing.) Repeat with remaining dough.

Step 4 Trim dough around cookies, and place 1 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Let dry at room temperature 24 hours. (If baked immediately, designs will fade as cookie rises.)

Step 5 Preheat oven to 300°. Bake 12 minutes or until set but not browned. Let cool completely; store in an airtight container.