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["In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 and 2/3 cups of the flour, the baking powder, and salt.", "In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, then beat in the vanilla. On low speed, add in the flour mixture. Transfer half of the dough to another bowl.", "Beat in the remaining 1/3 cup flour and desired amount food coloring (if using) to one half of the dough. Beat in the cocoa powder to the other half of the dough. Shape each bowl of dough into discs and wrap in plastic wrap, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm the dough.", "Preheat oven to 350 degrees, lightly grease 2 cookie sheets.", "Roll out doughs on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4"" thickness. Cut out desired shapes. (I did pigs, my girls favorite animal, and hearts for valentines day)", "Cut small circles out of each cookie using the wide end of a pastry tip or a doughnut circle cutter. I also did some hearts as well. Interchange the holes in each of the cookies with a hole from the other color cookie (so that you have alternating colors in each of the cookies.)", "Sprinkle with sugar, bake for about 7-10 minutes, or until very lightly browned. Cool on sheets for 1 minute, then finish cooling on a wire rack. Repeat with remaining dough.", "TIP: I use an offset spatula when lifting cut-out cookies- it's a life saver (and cookie saver!)", "SOURCE: Mary Engelbreit's Cookies Cookbook", "Makes about 4 dozen 4 inch cookies"]
