Sugar Cookies - Cookies for Santa

This sugar cookie recipe uses butter and shortening which is the perfect combination for soft, chewy and crisp sugar cookies. 

Our favorite Christmas Cookie is Frosted Sugar Cookie Cut Outs. During the holidays I cant ever seem so make enough of them and they disappear so fast. My kids would eat the whole platter in one sitting if I let them. Sugar Cookie Cut Outs are the cookies we leave out for Santa Claus every year.

 I've been making this recipe for so many years, that when it comes to sugar cookie this is my go to recipe. I know I can trust them to turn out perfectly every time. I like my cookies to be firm but soft when you bite into them, not hard and crumbly. That is the main reason I like this recipe so much.

This sugar cookie recipe uses both real butter and shortening it's the perfect combination. I also cut my sugar cookies a little bit more on the thicker side. This really ensures the softness of the cookie. I roll mine out a little bit bigger than a 1/4 of a inch in thickness. I also don't use any fancy schmancy frosting on these cookies. Just a simple colored icing.

When we make cookies for Santa it is all about the kids having fun and letting them jump in and do all the cutting and decorating all by themselves. I just mix up the icing for them and let them them loose with the sprinkles, they turn out so pretty every time. Just look above at my Mackenzie's snowman she did a striped effect.

I got this cookie recipe years ago from a Better Homes and Gardens Baking Cookbook. It never fails me so it's the one I stick to. Now the Icing recipe is another story and I cant stake any claim to it. I found that recipe over at southern plate last year and have been making it ever since.
 

The icing is a wet colored icing, but will set up shiny and firm when it is fully dry. I love this icing just pour it on with a spoon, spread, add sprinkles and let dry. I think the hardest part is waiting for the icing to dry so you can dig in.

I think Santa will be very impressed this year the kiddos did a awesome job. I hope everyone will spend some time with their children baking in the kitchen on Christmas Eve.

I wont be back posting until after the Christmas Holiday. So Merry Christmas to everyone. Be safe, be merry and enjoy great food and good times with family and friends.

He we are having fun cutting out all the cookies shapes.

Cookies cut, baked, cooled and ready to be frosted. In the bottom left photo of the collage you can see the cookies right out of the oven. Just golden brown on the edges and the cookies are firm.

here is that snowman. Just lay out some wax paper and let the kids get busy decorating how ever they want.

Carson started with a yellow star and white sprinkles. Nice touch Carson.

Here is mine a Christmas Tree. Don't worry about the icing running off the sides. They will dry and be so pretty in the end.

Strike a pose!!!

definitely a rare moment.

When the cookies are all frosted move them to a clean sheet of waxed paper to dry for a hour or two. Then dig in!!!! Carson said he didn't think he could wait the whole hour LOL

I took a photo of the side of the cookie so you could see just how thick I cut mine. Santa will be so exited, now all he needs is a glass of milk.

Don't worry Santa we never forget the reindeer's the kids will make sure to leave carrots and water for them. And to all a goodnight!!!!!!

Yield: 20

Author: Tina Butler | Mommy's Kitchen

Christmas Sugar Cookies

This sugar cookie recipe uses butter and shortening which is the perfect combination for soft, chewy and crisp sugar cookies.

Prep time: 2 HourCook time: 8 MinTotal time: 2 H & 8 M

Ingredients

• 1/3 - cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 - cup shortening
• 1 - cup granulated sugar
• 1 - teaspoon baking powder
• dash salt
• 1 - beaten egg
• 1 - teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 - cups all purpose flour
• 1 - 3 recipes of colored icing, below
• holiday sprinkles

Instructions

1. In a medium size bowl beat shortening and butter together with an electric mixer. Add sugar, vanilla extract and beaten egg.
2. Mix the flour, baking powder and salt together then add to the creamed mixture. Mix together scraping the sides of the bowl.
3. I used my kitchen aid mixer to mix everything until it came away from the bowl and started to form into a ball.
4. Try and mix enough of the flour mixture in using mixer, stir in any remaining flour with wooden spoon. Place dough inside a large zip lock bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
5. Remove dough and let sit on the counter at least 30 minutes. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface until it is about 1/4 inch thick.
6. I like thick cookies they seem to be softer. Cut with desired cookie cutters and place on aun-greased baking sheet.
7. Bake at 375 degrees for 7-8 minutes or until edges are firm and start to get golden brown. The bottom of the cookies should be light brown as well.
8. Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes. Remove and place on a baking rack to cool completely. Frost with colored icing and decorate with sprinkles.

Colored Icings Recipe

1. cup confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)
2. tablespoon softened butter or margarine
3. tablespoons milk
4. tsp vanilla extract
5. food coloring

1. I used 3 separate bowls to mix the icing.
2. One recipe for each bowl.
3. Mix all ingredients together with fork. If too dry, add a little more milk.
4. Once mixed, add a few drops of food coloring. We did red, green and yellow.

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Cookie Dough Gift Rolls {DIY Christmas Gift Idea}

https://www.mommyskitchen.net/2009/12/sugar-cookie-cut-outs-for-santa.html

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Recipe yields: Approx 20 sugar cookies
Icing recipe source: southern plate