Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Cut-out Cookies!

Cookie Cutter Cookies
1 cup salted butter (2 sticks)
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 cups all purpose flour
3 Tablespoons milk
 
Heat oven to 400 degrees. 
Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
 Mix baking powder and flour in bowl.
 On low speed, gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture until combined.
 Add milk; beat until dough masses around beaters.
Divide dough in half or thirds (whatever you prefer).
 Lightly flour work surface and roll out dough to 1/3 inch thickness. Cut shapes.
Bake for 10 minutes.
 ( I usually bake them for 14, so I suppose it depends on your oven)
Cool and frost.
(I usually double this recipe)
Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbs milk (or more depending on how thin you want your frosting)
 food coloring--divide the frosting and color whatever you want
Cream butter and shortening. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. When all sugar has been mixed, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat on high speed until light and fluffy.
Makes 3 cups.
Makes enough for cookie recipe to be doubled.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Special Sugar Cookies

 Thankful for my Special Sugar Cookie recipe I've been making since I was a young teen
Special Sugar Cookies
Cream together:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter (softened)
1 cup canola oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond flavoring (I think this is the secret ingredient)
Sift together:
4 cups flour plus 1 heaping Tbsp
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
1 tsp cream of tarter
Add to first mixture and mix well.  Place by teaspoons full onto ungreased
cookie sheet.  Press down with glass dipped in sugar, sprinkle with sprinkles, 
or my favorite, cinnamon and sugar mix!
Bake 350 for 12-15 minutes
(these are crispy cookies)