SURPRISE SUGAR STARS

Surprise Sugar Stars image

Come holiday time, Joyce Berry rolls out dozens of these buttery cutout cookies in her Sandpoint, Idaho country kitchen. "The basic sugar cookie recipe is my mother's," she informs, "and I came up with the sweet 'surprise' inside."

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
ICING:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk
Colored sugar, optional

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Combine the dry ingredients; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until easy to handle. , On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with 2-in star cookie cutter or the cutter of your choice. Place half of the stars on ungreased baking sheets. Spoon 1-1/2 teaspoonfuls of pie filling into the centers of each. Top with remaining stars. Pinch edges to seal; cut a small slit in top of each cookie. , Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks. , For icing, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, extract and enough milk to achieve desired consistence. Spread over cookies. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 131 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 19mg cholesterol, Sodium 115mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.