Santa’s Cookies 2011

When I found this recipe on Pinterest, I knew they had to be Santa’s cookies this year. We had so much fun making them, and once the icing was applied, they were scrumptious! I will admit that they were a little bland before the icing was put on…but, you be the judge! Santa loved them, regardless! :)

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening (not butter!)
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
(I usually DOUBLE this recipe when I'm making for gifts. A single recipe will make approximately 24 BIG cookies.)

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the shortening and sugar together on medium-high speed until soft and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the sour cream and vanilla and blend together until creamy.
With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients  (add it 1/3 at a time) mixing just until incorporated and evenly mixed.  You will have a very sticky dough at this point so it is very important to CHILL THE DOUGH FOR AT LEAST 1-2 HOURS.


Roll out with plenty of flour on your board to avoid sticking issues. But don't work the dough TOO much or it will get tough. Also make sure to flour your ROLLING PIN and COOKIE CUTTERS as well. Don't roll the dough too thin. I shoot for just a little over 1/4" thick.

Once you have cut out as many shapes as will fit, scoop them off the board with a spatula and transfer to a cookie sheet. It helps if you nudge a little bit of flour under the cookie as you lift it off the board.
If you have silicone baking mats use those. You can also use parchment paper or aluminum foil (which I used). Cooking directly on the cookie sheet works too...it's just more clean up. :-)
Bake the cookies for between 10 and 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Timing is CRUCIAL...so keep an eye on them.  You are shooting cookies that are just BARELY, BARELY starting to brown on the edges.

Powdered Sugar Frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons softened butter
1 tsp vanilla
2-3 tablespoons milk.
food coloring (I usually use about 4 to 5 drops of just the regular kind you buy at the grocery store)

I start with 2 tablespoons of milk and keep adding about a teaspoon at a time after that until the frosting is at just the right consistency.  Not too thick, but not too runny. Then I pretty much GOB it on the cookie...and spread. Top it off with the decoration of your choice