DECORATED SUGAR COOKIE CUTOUTS

Decorated Sugar Cookie Cutouts image

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 19

1-1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
ROYAL ICING:
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
7 tablespoons water
1/4 cup meringue powder
1 teaspoon light corn syrup
1 to 2 drops clear vanilla extract, optional
Assorted food coloring, optional
DECORATIONS:
Assorted candy coating disks, melted
Colored sprinkles, optional

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, egg yolks and extracts. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour., 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 greased baking sheets. Repeat., Bake at 350° for 13-16 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. , For icing, in a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, water, meringue powder and corn syrup. If desired, add extract and tint with food coloring; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Keep unused icing covered at all times with a damp cloth. If necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture. Frost cookies. Let stand until set. , To decorate cookies, place melted candy coating in small resealable plastic bags; cut a small hole in the corner of each bag. Decorate cookies as desired.

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