Cookie Time!

I always wanted to make those "pretty" iced cookies you see at bakeries. They are super easy to make if you buy cookie icing (Betty Crocker and Wilton both sell it). I'm still working on my technique, but so far I've been happy with the way cookie icing turns out. It is a lot easier to make than you think! We served them at Christmas dinner and even brought plates to our neighbors.

I used a gingerbread cookie mix to make the gingerbread men. I baked according to the package directions and let cool completely. I then added on the white lines, face, and "glued" on the candy buttons (I used M&M's this year) with icing.

I tried a new cookie recipe that was a big hit. Sugar cookie dough with dried cranberries, dipped in dark chocolate and sugar cookie dough with dried apricot pieces dipped in white chocolate. (See recipes below)

The snowman, candy cane, star, and tree cookies are made with a sugar cookie dough (recipe below). Once they bake and are completely cooled, they are ready to decorate. I used a cookie icing to get the nice smooth finish. The cookie icing recommends heating in the microwave to make the icing thinner. You are also supposed to knead the bottle to help mix it up: this is a must! For the cookies with different layers of colors (tree trunk, snowman hat and buttons), I would recommend that you let the icing sit for a little bit to thicken up so the colors don't all run together. Also, I wait until the icing starts to harden a little before I put the sprinkles on (otherwise, they can just run off if the icing is too thin).

If you are tired of regular sugar cookies, try making brownie trees! These are awesome and are unique for a Christmas cookie platter. Make brownie mix according to directions. Spray the inside of tree mold and fill about 2/3 full. Bake until done (toothpick comes out clean) and let cool before pushing out of mold. To decorate, place a piece of wax paper under a cooling rack. Cover trees with green cookie icing (or green Candy melts). Decorate with sprinkles! There are several baking molds available, but I think the Wilton ones work great.

SUGAR COOKIES:
I found this recipe in a magazine a few years ago and love it! It makes about 24 cookies.

You will need:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 egg yolks
2 1/4 cups flour
Pinch of salt

Directions:
1. Mix butter, powdered sugar and salt together in a bowl. I used my KitchenAid mixer and it worked great.
2. Add in egg yolks and mix until creamy.
3. Gradually add in flour and mix until a smooth dough forms. Don't over mix though, stop once a nice dough forms.
4. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
6. Sprinkle work area with powdered sugar. I used a silicone mat this time, although I have used just a clean counter top before.
7. Roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out shapes.
8. Place cookies on the cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes. You want the cookie set but still pale in color. Sugar cookies tend to keep baking after you take them out due to the sugar in them.

Cranberry and Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookies:
Make sugar cookie recipe above. Add 1 cup dried cranberries to the dough, mix together and chill. Roll dough out and cut out 2 inch circles. Bake and cool. Once the cookies have cooled, melt dark chocolate chips. I used my Nordic Ware Double Broiler Insert (love it!). Dip half of the cookie into the the melted chocolate. Lay on a piece of wax paper to set.

Apricot and White Chocolate Sugar Cookies: (I think this would be great with dried orange pieces as well.)
Make sugar cookie recipe above. Add 1 cup dried apricots to the dough, mix together and chill. Roll dough out and cut out 2 inch circles. Bake and cool. Once the cookies have cooled, melt white chocolate chips. I used my Nordic Ware Double Broiler Insert (love it!). Dip half of the cookie into the the melted chocolate. Lay on a piece of wax paper to set.