Santa Star Cookies

Total Time

Prep: 1-1/2 hours + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + standing

Makes

about 6 dozen

Updated: Apr. 04, 2023
Cookie baking can't get any more fun than when you are making—and decorating—these adorable Santa cookies. But they're not too cute to eat! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Santa Star Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup thawed orange juice concentrate
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • FROSTING:
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons water
  • 4-1/2 teaspoons meringue powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • Red and black paste food coloring
  • Decorating sprinkles, optional

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in orange juice concentrate and vanilla.
  2. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until easy to handle, about 2 hours.
  3. Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 4-in. star-shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until edges are firm, 7-8 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
  4. In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, 4-5 minutes. Tint 9 tablespoons red and 2 tablespoons black. Leave remaining icing white. Keep unused icing covered at all times with a damp cloth. If necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture.
  5. Place red icing in a pastry bag. With a #3 round pastry tip, pipe Santa's hats and suits. Once the red icing is dry, use black icing with a #1 round tip for eyes, mittens, belts and boots. With white frosting and a #2 round tip, add the trim for hats and suits. Use the same tip for mustaches and beards. If desired, use sprinkles for belt buckles and mouth.
Wilton-Meringue Powder
Meringue powder is available from Wilton Industries. Call 800-794-5866 or visit wilton.com.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 117 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.