Nice ‘n’ Soft Sugar Cookies

Name: Nice 'n' Soft Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 1 h 45 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: about 3 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2-1/2 cups self-rising flour; ICING:; 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 1/4 cup water; 4 teaspoons meringue powder; 1/4 cup light corn syrup; Food coloring of choice; Colored sugar and sprinkles, optional

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. + chilling Bake: 5 min./batch + cooling YIELD: about 3 dozen.

My family’s all-time favorite Christmas cookie has had a million shapes over the years. Little ones have fun making their own icing designs. — Cathy Hall, Lyndhurst, Virginia

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups self-rising flour
ICING:
2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup water
4 teaspoons meringue powder
1/4 cup light corn syrup
Food coloring of choice
Colored sugar and sprinkles, optional

Directions

1. Cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Divide dough in half. Wrap each in plastic; refrigerate 2 hours or until firm enough to roll.
2. Preheat oven to 375°. On a floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 3/16-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-in. cookie cutters. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until set, 5-7 minutes. Cool on pans 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
3. Beat confectioners' sugar, water and meringue powder on low speed until blended; beat on high until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes. Add corn syrup; beat 1 minute.
4. Tint with food coloring as desired. (Always keep unused icing covered with a damp cloth; if necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture.) Pipe or spread icing on cookies; decorate as desired. Let dry.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 138 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.