My family’s all-time favorite Christmas cookie has had a million shapes over the years. Little ones have fun making their own icing designs. — Cathy Hall, Lyndhurst, Virginia
Nice 'n' Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Nice ‘n’ Soft Sugar Cookies
Nice 'n' Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Nice ‘n’ Soft Sugar Cookies
Prep Time
105 min
Cook Time
5 min
Yield
about 3 dozen
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-1/2 cups self-rising flour
- ICING:
- 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 4 teaspoons meringue powder
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- Food coloring of choice
- Colored sugar and sprinkles, optional
Directions
- Cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Divide dough in half. Wrap each in plastic; refrigerate 2 hours or until firm enough to roll.
- Preheat oven to 375°. On a floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 3/16-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-in. cookie cutters. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until set, 5-7 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
- Beat confectioners' sugar, water and meringue powder on low speed until blended; beat on high until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. Add corn syrup; beat 1 minute.
- Tint with food coloring as desired. (Always keep unused icing covered with a damp cloth; if necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture.) Pipe or spread icing on cookies; decorate as desired. Let dry.
Nutrition Facts
1 cookie: 138 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.