Tools

Moravian Cutouts

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons brandy

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 cups cake flour

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

• 1 cup butter

• 2 eggs

Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.

2. Sift flour with salt and nutmeg. Add to the mixture alternately with brandy.

3. Refrigerate the dough for several hours.

4. Roll out dough very thin and cut into fancy shapes (bells, stars, Christmas trees, etc.).

5. Brush with egg white or beaten egg mixed with a little water. Sprinkle with ground nuts mixed with sugar, or colored sugars.

6. Bake in a moderate oven (350°F) for about 15 minutes.

These cookies make beautiful shapes, though angels might be fragile for packing. 

Based on the recipe and typical cookie baking processes, here's an estimated breakdown:

Prep Time:

• Mixing ingredients: 15-20 minutes

• Refrigerating dough: Several hours (let's estimate around 3-4 hours)

• Rolling out dough and cutting shapes: 30-45 minutes

Cook Time:

• Baking: Approximately 15 minutes per batch

Total Estimated Time:

• Active Prep Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour

• Inactive Time (refrigeration): 3-4 hours

• Baking Time: 15 minutes per batch (this may vary depending on the number of batches you need)

So, you're looking at about 4-5 hours in total, with 45 minutes to an hour of active preparation.