Cardamom-Rye Cookies

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the granulated sugar, salt, cardamom and cinnamon and beat until combined, scraping bowl as needed. Beat in the flours with mixer on low speed until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing mixture with a fork, until dough is moistened. Gently knead dough with hands to form a ball.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut dough into desired shapes. (For picture frames, use a 3- or 4-inch square cutter or cut squares freehand using a fluted pastry wheel. For elves, divide dough in half, then roll into an 8-inch circle and cut into 12 wedges.) Reroll scraps as necessary. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Pierce all over with a fork.

Bake in a 350º oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are firm and begin to brown on the edges. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool. Decorate with Royal Icing.

Add additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, to prepared Royal Icing until it's the consistency of pancake batter.

In a very small bowl or custard cup, mix food coloring and vodka or water until smooth and thin enough to paint. If mixture thickens while painting, stir in a little more vodka or water. Vodka works better for painting on Royal Icing because it dries quickly. However, water will work if you don't have vodka on hand.

In a very small bowl or custard cup, mix vodka or water and gold luster dust until smooth and thin enough to paint. If mixture thickens while painting, stir in a little more vodka or water.