Elf Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough, softened
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• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
• 3 tablespoons milk, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract, divided
• 6 drops red food coloring, divided
• 140 milk chocolate M&M's (about 2/3 cup)
• 56 almond slices (about 4 teaspoons)
• 56 brown M&M's miniature baking bits (about 1 tablespoon)
• 28 red M&M's miniature baking bits (about 1-1/2 teaspoons)

Directions

• In a small bowl, beat cookie dough and flour until combined. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 1-3/4-in. x 3-1/4-in. diamond cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 7-9 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
• For one batch of glaze, in a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, 4-1/2 teaspoons milk and 1/4 teaspoon extract. Remove 1 tablespoon glaze to another bowl. Tint remaining glaze with 3 drops food coloring.
• Working with one cookie at a time, spread red glaze over top half of cookie. Place one M&M at top for tassel and four M&M's across edge of glaze for hat brim. For ears, place two almonds above M&M's on each end. Dip baking bits in plain glaze; place brown bits on cookie for eyes and a red bit for nose. Repeat with 13 more cookies.
• Make second batch of glaze with remaining confectioners' sugar, milk, extract and food coloring. Decorate remaining cookies as above. Yield: 28 cookies.

Elf Cookies published in Quick Cooking November/December 2005, p20