Sugar Cookies with Two Icings

So it looks like Jenn and I have been a tad busy. Our last post was when??? Well, I can speak for myself when I say that I've been busy trying to create the feeling of Christmas in my home. Need I say more? I finally put up the tree the other day (yay!!!) and it totally got me into the Christmas spirit.

Next on holiday list: make these yummy cookies for friends and neighbors and pack them up cute!

I've included recipes for both butter-cream frosting and royal icing. The cookies pictured above were most likely decorated with royal icing. It has a more finished look.
Enjoy!

Sugar Cookies

ingredients

1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

directions

1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely

Makes approx. 5 dozen

Oh yeah, I almost forgot! This recipe works best when you mix it all by hand, otherwise they are a little too delicate. Happy Baking!

Butter-Cream Frosting

When I originally posted the recipe for butter-cream frosting, I posted the recipe without checking that it was right. And after trying it and miserably failing at making anything that resembled frosting I realized the recipe had to go! So below is a new and improved and wonderful icing for sugar cookies! Enjoy!

1 cup real butter

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
1 lb. pure cane confectioner's sugar (approximately 4 cups)
1 teaspoon meringue powder (optional)
a pinch of salt (optional)

Cream shortening, flavoring and water. Add dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until all ingredients have been throughly mixed together. Blend an additional minute or so until creamy.
Yield: 3cups
(This recipe adapted from the Course 1 booklet for The Wilton Method of Cake Decorating: "Class Buttercream Icing")

Royal Icing

3 tablespoons meringue powder
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons water

directions

1. Beat all ingredients at low speed for 7 to 10 minutes, or until icing forms peaks. Tip: Keep icing covered with a wet kitchen towel at all times. Icing can dry out quickly.

allrecipes.com