DARIA'S BEST-EVER SUGAR COOKIES

Daria's Best-Ever Sugar Cookies image

After years of searching for the best sugar cookie recipe, believe me, this is it! Almond paste gives a hint of great flavor to these moist cookies with a subtle crunch. -Daria Burcar, Rochester, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 2h10m

Yield about 13-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1/2 cup almond paste
4 large egg yolks
2 cups butter, softened
1-3/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
FROSTING:
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons meringue powder
1/3 cup water
Food coloring, coarse sugar and assorted sprinkles, optional

Steps:

In a large bowl, beat almond paste and egg yolks until crumbly. Add butter, sugar and salt; beat until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour and mix well. Divide into four portions; shape each into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 1-2 hours or until easy to handle., Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough., Bake 6-8 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, beat confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and water until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Color frosting if desired. Frost cookies; decorate with coarse sugar and sprinkles if desired. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 55 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 25mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.