Taste of Home

Homemade Ladybug Cookies

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch YIELD: about 5 dozen.
The spotlight shines on these confections every time Sharon Kotsovos serves them. "The sugar cookies themselves are so yummy," she attests from Coos Bay, Oregon. "But they're even better when I decorate them."

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Red and black liquid food coloring
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup white baking chips
  • 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

  • 1. In a large bowl, cream butter, oil and sugars until light and fluffy. Add two eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cream of tartar and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.
  • 2. On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a 3-in. round cookie cuter dipped in flour. Place 1 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets.
  • 3. In a small bowl, beat remaining eggs. Add red food coloring; mix well. Brush over cutouts.
  • 4. Bake at 375° for 8 minutes. With a small new paintbrush and black food coloring, paint two lines, forming wings.
  • 5. Arrange four chocolate chips in a half circle on the top third of each cookie. Randomly place 16 chocolate chips on the lower part of the cookie for spots. Return to the oven for 1 minute or until chips are melted. Spread the four chips to form the head.
  • 6. For eyes, position two white chips, pointed side down, over melted chocolate. Return to the oven for 1 minute or until slightly melted. Place one miniature chocolate chip in the center of each white chip. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 311 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

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