Saturday, December 22, 2007

Good afternoon everyone. I'm wondering how many of you are still out there reading blogs when there is probably so much left to do to get ready before Christmas day. Today I used my birthday present from DD and loved it, especially at such a busy time of year. Want to know what it is? A pedicure to a local spa. It was very relaxing.

My Christmas baking is all done, and today I am giving you a peak into my kitchen. Decorating sugar cookies is one of my favourite things to do over the holidays. The recipe that I used is new to me this year, and was found on the All Recipe site. I'm all set up over there and have my own recipe box for future reference. This cookie and icing recipe is very easy and I had lots of success with them. Just in case your baking isn't done yet, and you are looking for something to bake, I have included my recipes to help you out. Enjoy!

Sugar Cookies


INGREDIENTS
1 cup margarine
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
Cream the margarine and add the sugar gradually. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at time, mixing well after each addition.

Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt gradually to the creamed mixture, stirring in by hand. Cover and chill dough overnight.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick and cut into your favorite shapes. Place cookies onto the prepared baking sheets.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 6 to 8 minutes or until cookie has a golden appearance.

ICING

INGREDIENTS
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
assorted food coloring

DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.

Divide into separate bowls, and add food colorings to each to desired intensity. Dip cookies, or paint them with a brush.

7 comments:

K Hutchinson said...

Yummy! Your cookies look so pretty I would not be able to eat them ;) They really are little works of art! It must have taken you lots of time to frost them! OUTSTANDING!

Jane said...

I'm still around visiting blogs! Seems like a lot of people are taking breaks though. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas (your cookies look yummy!)

Jane

Misty said...

mmmmm Yummy, thanks for sharing. I'll have to go try it out!
Have a great holiday!
Misty

marja said...

Wishing you and your family a merry Christmas and all the best for next year.

Thank you for sharing all your wonderful creations with us during the past year.

Ila said...

Just have a minute to tell you these look Super Yummy Beth..I love sugar cookie recipes with cream of tartar in it...just kind of gives it some zing. Going to have to try that icing recipe.
Merry Christmas!!!

Eleanor said...

Thanks so much for the recipe. Your cookies look yummy! Merry Christmas to you.

Maria said...

Hi Beth. . .I'm in the kitchen on my laptop right now and coincidentally, we'll be making cookies today. Thank god for a laptop in the kitchen so I can blog surf while I cook.

Love your cookies and your recipe. I'm going the easy route this year and will be making premade cookie ingredients.

Thanks for the recipe. ..I'll store it and try to make it some other time!

Maria