Chocolate Cut-out Cookies

An easy dough to work with that keeps it shape when baking. I just made a bunch of squirrel-shaped ones (the squirrel is our school mascot) for a Valentine's bake sale.

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  
• 2 cups flour
  
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 1/2 cup cocoa
  

Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients, add gradually to butter mixture. Divide dough into two balls and chill 30 minutes.

Working with half of dough at a time, roll to 1/8 inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters. Place on greased cookie sheets and sprinkle if desired. Bake at 375 for 8 minutes.