Christmas Lights Cookies

Name: Christmas Lights Cookies
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 1-1/2-dozen.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 large egg; 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon baking powder; FROSTING:; 5 cups confectioners' sugar; 1 tablespoon light corn syrup; 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; 5 to 6 tablespoons water; Red, blue, green, yellow and gray paste food coloring; Assorted colored sugar

What better way to brighten chilly winter days than with light-shaped cookies? My classic dough recipe has been a holiday tradition in our family for years. —Carolyn Moseley, Dayton, Ohio

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
FROSTING:
5 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 to 6 tablespoons water
Red, blue, green, yellow and gray paste food coloring
Assorted colored sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. In another bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, salt and baking powder; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Shape into a disk; wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll.
Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 4-in. Christmas light-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 9-11 minutes or until light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
In a small bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, corn syrup, vanilla and enough water to reach desired consistency. Reserve 2/3 cup frosting for bottom of cookies and reflections. Divide remaining frosting between four bowls. Tint one red, one blue, one green and one yellow. Frost tops of cookies. If desired, sprinkle with colored sugar. Tint half of the reserved frosting gray; frost bottom of cookies. With remaining white frosting and a #5 round tip, pipe on reflections. Let stand until completely set.
To Make Ahead: Dough can be made 2 days in advance. Wrap and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Freeze option: Freeze undecorated cookies in freezer containers. To use, thaw in covered containers and decorate as desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 250 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.

Originally published as Cutout Christmas Cookies in Taste of Home Christmas Annual 2016

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Rosemary

Dec 25, 2018

They look awesome and I wish I had found this recipe before today. I love how your frosting self levels and it appears to dry to a lovely finish allowing more frosting to layer on top without blending together. Beautiful. I have 3 questions that I hope you or one of the reviewers can answer. 1. What is the size of these lightbulb cookie cutters? I've seen 3 different sizes in a gourmet cookery store. 2. You say in your description to use a #5 round tip to put the reflections on the cookies, but what number of round tip are you using to do the main frosting of the cookies? 3. Is it necessary to frost the bottom of the cookies? Thank you for any help you can offer. Today is Christmas day, so happy holidays to all of you!!
Deborah

Nov 25, 2018

I am going to make these! How beautiful!!
Ashlie

Dec 13, 2017

going to make them
Barbara

Nov 28, 2017

I plan to try these. I'm rating without trying because they are so attractive. I'll update when I have made them!
SingleBudgetCook

Nov 27, 2017

"Hmmm....only one review after a year? I guess I will pass.".... Honestly, who cares??!!?? This forum is for those who gave the recipe a try, not your opinion!!!! By the way, I made them today, November 25, 2017, based on the review from last year, and they came out GREAT!!! These are a winner, give them a try!!I found my cookie cutter at my local 2nd hand store, I believe Wal-Mart also has them. Also try Michaels crafts, Joann fabrics, Christmas tree shops, or Amazon...hope that helps! ?
RogerSwayze

Nov 26, 2017

I like the recipe but cannot find a source for the light bulb cookie cutter. Can someone suggest one?
CookinLovin

Nov 25, 2017

Hmmm....only one review after a year? I guess I will pass.
finchd60

Dec 21, 2016

Made these for the grandkids to decorate. Great cookie, many were eaten before the decorating began!