SCRUMPTIOUS SUGAR COOKIES

Scrumptious Sugar Cookies image

My husband developed this crisp sugar cookie when he was a baker in Alaska. It's traveled with us to many states, along with requests for the recipe! -Nancy Gribble, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 25m

Yield about 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
ICING:
2-2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk
Red paste food coloring, optional
Miniature semisweet chocolate chips and red-hot candies

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and extracts. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. , Divide dough into thirds; flatten each portion into a circle. Wrap each in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle., On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 4-1/2-in. gingerbread boy cookie cutter; place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough; chill and reroll scraps., Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., In a small bowl, beat the confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Tint a portion red if desired. Decorate cookies as desired with icing, chocolate chips and red-hots.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 243 calories, Fat 12g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 36mg cholesterol, Sodium 111mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.