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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes |
Ready In: 10 Minutes Servings: 72 |
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Cookie baking can't get any more fun than when you are making Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups butter, softened |
1/2 cup shortening |
1 cup sugar |
1 cup packed brown sugar |
2 eggs |
1/4 cup thawed orange juice concentrate |
1 teaspoon vanilla extract |
5 cups king arthur unbleached 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 |
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one 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 for 2 hours or until easy to handle.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a 4-in. star-shaped cookie cutter dipped in flour. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 7-8 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove to wire racks to cool.
4. In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. 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, noses and suits. Use black icing for eyes, mittens, belts and boots. With white frosting and a #16 star tip, add the hat trim, mustaches and beards. With a round tip, add the suit trim. Yield: about 6 dozen.
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