Frosted Maple Pyramids

Name: Frosted Maple Pyramids
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: about 1-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup shortening; 1/3 cup packed brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon maple flavoring; 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon baking powder; FROSTING:; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; Halved red candied cherries, optional

The cute shape of these cookies makes them a splendid sight on a Christmas cookie tray. You could use star-shaped cookie cutters in place of the round ones. —Wanda Goodell, Kent, Washington

Ingredients

1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon maple flavoring
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Halved red candied cherries, optional

Directions

Cream shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla and maple flavoring. Whisk flour, salt and baking powder; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, until easy to handle, about 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. With floured 2-in. round cookie cutters, cut out 18 circles. Repeat with 1-1/2-in. and 1-in. round cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 7-9 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Meanwhile, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Cut a small hole in the tip of a pastry bag or in a corner of a food-safe plastic bag; transfer frosting to bag. To assemble cookies, place a 2-in. cookie on waxed paper. Pipe frosting over cookie. Top with a 1-1/2-in. cookie; pipe. Top with a 1-inch cookie; pipe. If desired, top with candied cherries.