Santa Star Cookies Recipe

By carvalhohm

Ingredients

• FROSTING:
• 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 Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 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

Details

Servings 72
Adapted from tasteofhome.com

Preparation

Step 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.