NICE 'N' SOFT SUGAR COOKIES

Nice 'n' Soft Sugar Cookies image

My family's all-time favorite Christmas cookie has had a million shapes over the years. Little ones have fun making their own icing designs. - Cathy Hall, Lyndhurst, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Desserts

Time 1h50m

Yield about 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 12

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Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups self-rising flour
ICING:
2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup water
4 teaspoons meringue powder
1/4 cup light corn syrup
Food coloring of choice
Colored sugar and sprinkles, optional

Steps:

Cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Divide dough in half. Wrap each in plastic; refrigerate 2 hours or until firm enough to roll. , Preheat oven to 375°. On a floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 3/16-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-in. cookie cutters. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until set, 5-7 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely., Beat confectioners' sugar, water and meringue powder on low speed until blended; beat on high until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. Add corn syrup; beat 1 minute., Tint with food coloring as desired. (Always keep unused icing covered with a damp cloth; if necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture.) Pipe or spread icing on cookies; decorate as desired. Let dry.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 138 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 19mg cholesterol, Sodium 150mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.