Santa Star Cookies
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1-1/2 hours + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + standing
YIELD: about 6 dozen.
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
Ingredients
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1-1/2 cups butter, softened
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1/2 cup shortening
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1 cup sugar
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1 cup packed brown sugar
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2 large eggs, room temperature
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1/4 cup thawed orange juice concentrate
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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5 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1 teaspoon salt
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FROSTING:
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2 cups confectioners' sugar
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2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons water
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4-1/2 teaspoons meringue powder
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1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
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Red and black paste food coloring
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Decorating sprinkles, optional
Directions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Nutrition Facts
1 cookie: 117 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
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