12551 Christmas Vanilla Sugar Cookies Makes about 3 dozen cookies Wed Aug 06 01:13:21 -0700 2008 Wed Feb 04 18:08:40 -0800 2009 Licensed http://www.chow.com/recipes/12551 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:08:40 GMT I love this Christmas cookie recipe because the dough is very easy to handle and roll out, and the cookies look really pretty and festive with the cream colored icing and white sugar without having to do any fancy decorating. I like to use a snowflake-shaped cookie cutter, but a regular round cutter is fine too.

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  • To make the cookies: In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks and vanilla and beat well. Add the dry ingredients, in three parts, and mix until just combined. Shape the dough into three flat disks, wrap each disk tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Working with one disk at a time, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Using a 2½-inch fluted cutter, cut out the cookies and place on baking sheets lined with waxed paper. Place the baking sheets in the refrigerator and chill for an additional 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F and grease two baking sheets.
  • Remove the cookies from the refrigerator and arrange on the greased baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until lightly golden around the edges. Cool the cookies on the sheets for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • To make the icing: In the top of a double boiler, over simmering water, combine all of the ingredients. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. Remove from the heat, transfer to a glass measuring cup, and allow to cool to lukewarm before using.
  • To ice the cookies: Using a pastry brush, spread a light coating of icing on each cookie and then sprinkle the decorating sugar over the icing. (Let the icing set for a few hours before stacking the cookies.)
    • ]]>     http://www.chow.com Allysa Torey 50 Main 2½ cups all-purpose flour

    ]]>     1 teaspoon baking powder

    ]]>     ¼ teaspoon salt

    ]]>     1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

    ]]>     1 cup sugar

    ]]>     2 large egg yolks, at room temperature

    ]]>     2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    ]]>     ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

    ]]>     ¼ cup heavy cream

    ]]>     ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

    ]]>     White decorating sugar, for garnish

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