Sugar Cookie Carolers

By smleonard

Ingredients

• 3/4 c. butter, softened
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
• assorted colors of paste or liquid food coloring
• small candies for decorating (optional)
• 1 recipe powdered sugar icing (optional)
• red petal dust (optional)

Details

Servings 1

Preparation

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat or stir in the flour. Divide dough in half. Shape each half of dough into a 6-inch-long roll. Wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 to 24 hours. Using a sharp knife, cut dough into 1/4 inch slices. (Reserve several dough slices for decorating. Tint some of dough with paste food coloring to form hats, hair, and earmuffs. Forcing dough through a garlic press will make hair.) For each caroler’s face, place a dough slice on an ungreased cookie sheet. If desired, use a straw to make an oval shaped hole in the dough for the mouth. (It may be necessary to reform the mouth with the straw while baked cookie is still warm.) If desired, arrange small decorative candies for the eyes and nose and add other colored dough decorations before baking. Bake in a 375 degrees F. oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Carefully transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool. If desired, brush on red petal dust to make rosy cheeks.