Ingredients

1 batch Basic Vanilla Cookie Dough 

Gel food color, optional 

Unbleached all-purpose flour, for dusting 

Green or red fine sanding sugar 

Small red candies, for decorating (optional) 

Vanilla and Citrus Glazes, for decorating (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Tint dough with food color as desired. Shape dough into 2 disks, and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Roll out 1 disk on a lightly floured piece of parchment to a 1/8- to 1/4-inch thickness. Repeat with remaining disk. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Using a 2 1/2-inch fluted round cutter, cut out rounds. Using a 3/4-inch fluted round cutter, cut out centers of cookies. Transfer wreaths and, if desired, fluted cutouts to parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush wreaths and fluted cutouts with water, and sprinkle generously with sanding sugar. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Bake until cookies are firm, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks; let cool completely. If desired, affix fluted cutouts and candies to wreaths using a dot of glaze.