Tutorial Tuesday: Vanilla Sugar Cookies & Best White Icing Ever

Last Friday, I shared about the fun sugar cookies that Mr. Dishaholic & I often make together.

 So here's the recipes I promised.........

~VANILLA SUGAR COOKIES~

What you'll need:

1 cup butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

3 cups flour

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 400*.

2) Cream softened butter & sugar with an electric mixer.

3) Beat in egg & vanilla.

4) Add baking powder.

5) Mix in flour - one cup at a time (mixing after each cup).

Blend last of flour by hand.

(If dough becomes too stiff, add water - a teaspoon at a time).

6) If desired, roll out dough on floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick & use desired cookie cutters. 

(It's helpful to chill the dough for a few minutes before).

7) Bake on greased cookie sheet (or on a foil lined cookie sheet) for 8-10 minutes or until slightly brown.

8) Allow to cool before icing.

Other options:

 1) For chocolate sugar cookies, mix in 3 ounces melted, unsweetened chocolate.

2) For colored cookies, tint dough with Wilton Icing coloring.  Knead in small amounts until desired color is reached.

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 To decorate the cookies, you can either use store bought icing (in cans or tubes), or you can try out this recipe:

~Best White Icing Ever~

What you'll need:

4 cups confectioner's sugar

1 cup shortening

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon clear imitation vanilla extract

3 tablespoons corn syrup (optional)

food coloring (optional)

Directions:

1) In a large bowl combine sugar, shortening, water, & vanilla.

2) Beat on low speed until combined, then beat on medium for 5 minutes.

3) If not used for decorating (just icing), add 3 tablespoons corn syrup or water to icing.

4) Add food coloring as desired.

(If it will be sitting out a while, cover bowl with wet cloth to keep mixture from drying out).

I'm linking to Mosaic Monday at Little Red House.