Keeping Shape Of Butter Cut Out Cookies

Our answer

Nigella's Butter Cut-Out Cookies (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) should hold their shape fairly well on baking, though if you re-roll the dough trimmings the second round of cut-out cookies may spread a little.

From the description we wonder if the cookies were made on a hot day, as the dough will be slightly more sticky if it is hot. If this is the case, you can chill the cut cookie shapes again before baking. If the dough is too warm the butter will melt quickly and this can cause the cookies to lose some of their definition. You can also freeze the unbaked cookie shapes on baking sheets lined with baking parchment. When the cookies are solid transfer them to an airtight container and freeze for up to a month. The cookies should be baked direct from frozen and the baking time should be the same as the time indicated in the recipe.