Holiday countdown 2010............Dec 18th

Today is the perfect day to bake cookies.
At least in my mind.
The butter is already sitting out to get soft and the smell of freshly baked cookies will very soon drive my building crazy.
Im doing a bunch of these snowmen, easy to make and they make a great gift.

Basic Sugar Cookies
This is a basic simple cookie recipe that never fails to please.

Makes about 30 cookies

1 stick salted butter
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and creamy.
Add the egg and beat it well into the mixture.
Add flour, baking powder and vanilla and mix until combined.
Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before use.
Roll out to 1/8-inch thickness on a floured surface.
Cut out cookies and transfer to a parchment-paper-covered baking tray.
Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until just golden.
Cool on a wire rack.
Store in an airtight container.

Snowman Cookies
Makes 12 snowmen

1 batch sugar cookie dough
1 small batch of peppermint cookie dough (see Sweet Paul Magazine)
Confectioners’ sugar
Water
Shredded coconut
1/4 cup melted chocolate
1 small piece of orange fondant
1 piece of red and white string

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Cut out 3 different circles of the sugar cookie dough (small, medium and large).
Place them on top of each other to create a snowman shape.
Press them gently together and transfer to a parchment-paper-covered baking tray.
Cut out small hats using the peppermint cookie dough and place on the same tray.
Bake for about 8 to 12 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack.
Mix confectioners’ sugar and water until smooth.
Cover the snowman with frosting and dip into coconut.
Add extra frosting to his head and place the hat.
Use melted chocolate in a piping bag to make buttons and a band for his hat.
Take a small piece of fondant to create a thick carrot. Fasten with a small amount of frosting.
Tie a string around the next as a scarf.
Photo by Ellen Silverman

Comments

[lynn-anne]

so sweet -- making cookies here too!

[Mary]

I love this time of the year for baking, too. I like to let my little grandchildren help with these fun activities. They will love helping me make them and I know they will not stay around long to be given out to other family members. Thanks for the recipe idea. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[cam]

what cute image...and always love to collect fabulous recipes! xoxo

[Grazinggoat.wordpress.com]

thank you for the reliable sugar cookie recipe and the crushed candy cane inspiration!

i couldn't resist trying it myself.
here is how they turned out!
http://grazinggoat.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/christmas-baking-begins/

GrazingGoat
<3

[Choco Cookies]

This is a Sweet,innovative and interesting cookies,i wanna try and have this right now,its amazing decorated too...http://www.vivamagonline.com Ur procedure is simple and Easy to make...Keep up this Excellent work....

[reloj Corum]

I was able to recognize such a profound article

[replica de reloj]

Thank you, this article gives me insight to all experience

[UGG Ireland]

the same period also brought out a surge hit the main map pattern modeling package craze, Coco is Alviero Martini attracted special Italian leather with PVC printing.