Make the cookie dough

• Cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar until pale and fluffy.
• Beat in the egg, vanilla extract and salt.
• Add the flour and mix until a smooth dough forms.

Chill the dough

• Flatten the dough into a disc, wrap it and refrigerate until firm.

Cut out the cookies

• Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface.
• Cut out puppy shapes with the cookie cutter and place them on the baking tray.

Bake

• Bake the cookies until the edges are just golden.
• Let them cool completely on a cooling rack.

Prepare the royal icing

• Whisk the powdered sugar with the egg white until thick and glossy.
• Divide the icing and tint one part red and one part black.

Decorate the puppy cookies

• Pipe a red Santa hat on each cookie.
• Add the eyes and nose with the black icing.
• Let the icing set before serving or packing.