The taste of the recipe was spot on. Perfect flavor! However, I am starting to think I personally am doomed to never make beautiful cut outs. I followed the recipe completely- rolled and cut as described. Which, by the way, this reciped by NO way would ever make 5 dozen cookies cut out at 1/2" thickness. I managed maybe 36 cookies, mine being closer to 1/4". Either way, when I baked mine, they were a flop. My shapes turned blimp sized, the cookies never baked through and the edges were hard as a rock :( This is my 10th year in a row trying a new recipe of cut outs. I don't think it's the recipe, but me! Good luck fellow bakers!