SANTA STAR COOKIES

Santa Star Cookies image

Cookie baking can't get any more fun than when you are making-and decorating-these adorable Santa cookies. They are also really good to eat. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h40m

Yield about 6 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/4 cup thawed orange juice concentrate
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
FROSTING:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons water
4-1/2 teaspoons meringue powder
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
Red and black paste food coloring
Decorating sprinkles, optional

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in orange juice concentrate and vanilla. , Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until easy to handle, about 2 hours., Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 4-in. star-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until edges are firm, 7-8 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool., In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, 4-5 minutes. Tint 9 Tbsp. red and 2 Tbsp. tablespoons black. Leave remaining icing white. Keep unused icing covered at all times with a damp cloth. If necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture., Place red icing in a pastry bag. With a #3 round pastry tip, pipe Santa's hats and suits. Once the red icing is dry, use black icing with a #1 round tip for eyes, mittens, belts and boots. With white frosting and a #2 round tip, add the trim for hats and suits. Use the same tip for mustaches and beards. If desired, use sprinkles for belt buckles and mouth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 117 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 85mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.