Santa and Elf Christmas Cookies Recipe

Posted on by pamalee
Santa and Elf Christmas Cookies Recipe
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Ingredients
  1. 1 cup butter, softened
  2. 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  3. 1 Eggland's Best Egg
  4. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  5. 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  6. 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  7. 1 teaspoon baking soda
  8. 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
ROYAL ICING
  1. 1 package (2 pounds) confectioners' sugar
  2. 8 teaspoons meringue powder
  3. 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  4. 1 cup water
  5. Food coloring of your choice
  6. 36 miniature marshmallows
  7. Assorted sprinkles and pearl dragees
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and extracts. Combine the flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
  2. Divide dough into thirds. Shape each into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes or until easy to handle.
  3. For Santas: On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough into a 10-in. circle. Turn a pie plate upside down over circle and cut around the edge with a knife; reserve scraps. Cut into eight wedges.
  4. Place wedges 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Fold the tip of each wedge down. Tuck a scrap piece of dough (about a 1/2-in. ball) under the upper part of fold.
  5. For elves: Roll another portion of dough into a 10-in. circle. Cut in half; cut one-half into four wedges and the other half into eight wedges. Repeat forming Santas with the large wedges. Transfer small wedges to a baking sheet; fold tips down, forming hats.
  6. Roll the remaining portion of dough into a 10-in. circle. Cut into 16 wedges. Transfer to baking sheets; fold tips down.
  7. Bake at 350° for 10-13 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  8. To decorate: In a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and cream of tartar; add water. Beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form.
  9. Tint icing with colors of your choice. (Keep unused icing covered at all times with a damp cloth. If necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture.) Working with one cookie at a time, decorate with icing, attach a marshmallow to the tip of hat and finish with sprinkles and dragees as desired. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 3 dozen.
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