Looking for a simple, but delicious Christmas treat to share? Here’s a simple recipe for Christmas cookies:
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup shortening
- 3 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 6 tablespoons evaporated milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
FROSTING:
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 to 6 tablespoons half-and-half cream
- Food coloring of your choice, optional
- Assorted sprinkles
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, milk and extracts. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough into four portions. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate, covered, overnight or until firm enough to roll.
Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-in. holiday cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake 5-7 minutes or until edges are lightly brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
In a large bowl, beat confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and enough cream to reach a spreading consistency. If desired, beat in food coloring. Frost and decorate cookies as desired.
Yields about 10 dozen cookies.
Freeze option: Freeze undecorated cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw in covered containers and decorate as desired.