Sunday, December 12, 2010

Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies for Santa


I am not a big fan of sugar cookies, because after all, if chocolate isn't involved, what's the point?

So, I really don't make them or eat them, and for that, my jeans are thankful!!!

However, I thought it might be fun to try to make them, and ice them, and let the boys do all the dirty work.

So we did it, we made the cookies and I just had to eat a couple.

I mean, who am I kidding, butter and sugar just calling my name like that!

Besides, I am weak and have no willpower.

I am a firm believer that willpower is for January, not December!

Here's a photo of how ours turned out.

One question, how much red food colouring does it take to get red icing?



Vanilla-Almond Sugar Cookies

3 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup sugar
2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter
1 egg
3/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine flour and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.  Cream butter and sugar, then add egg and extracts and mix.  Gradually add flour mixture and beat until just combined.  Dough will be crumbly, so knead it together to form a ball, for rolling.  Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out shapes.  Lay on a parchment lined baking sheet and put in the freezer for 5 minutes before baking.  Bake for 10-12 minutes and cool completely before icing.

Royal Icing

4 tbsp merinque powder
scant 1/2 cup water
 1 lb icing sugar
1/2 - 1 tsp light corn syrup
few drops of a clear extract

Whip together to form not quite stiff peaks, shouldn't take long.  I had to add more water.

Divide icing into bowls for colouring.  Then place some of the coloured icing in piping bags to outline your cookies.

Once the cookies have been outlined, thin the remaining icing with water for "flooding" or filling in your outlined cookies.

Decorate with sprinkles or coloured sugar

Enjoy (your jeans may not be happy, but you will)!

1 comment:

  1. LOL about the jeans!!! So true :)
    They turned out great! And I love the icing on them, so artsy :) I have no idea how much food color you have to put in, but probably a lot..
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete