SANTA AND ELF CHRISTMAS COOKIES

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Santa and Elf Christmas Cookies image

The kids will be jumping for joy when you bring out a cookie plate filled with Santas and his helper elves. These whimsical treats will be a hit with adults, too. The butter cookies are easy to shape and a delight to decorate. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 4h40m

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
ROYAL ICING:
1 package (2 pounds) confectioners' sugar
8 teaspoons meringue powder
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup water
Food coloring of your choice
36 miniature marshmallows
Assorted sprinkles and pearl dragees

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the egg and extracts. Combine the flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well., Divide dough into thirds. Shape each into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Wrap in waxed paper and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes or until easy to handle., For Santas: On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 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 8 wedges., 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., For elves: Roll another portion of dough into a 10-in. circle. Cut in half; cut 1 half into 4 wedges and the other half into 8 wedges. Repeat forming Santas with the large wedges. Transfer small wedges to a baking sheet; fold tips down, forming hats., Roll the remaining portion of dough into a 10-in. circle. Cut into 16 wedges. Transfer to baking sheets; fold tips down., 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., 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., 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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 201 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 19mg cholesterol, Sodium 84mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (30g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

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