COOKIES THAT LOOK LIKE FLOWERS RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, break up cookie dough; thoroughly work in flour. (DO NOT EAT RAW COOKIE DOUGH AFTER COMBINING WITH FLOUR.) Divide dough into 36 (1-inch) smooth, crease-free balls.
• Place colored sugars in separate medium bowls. One at a time, gently drop the balls into the sugar, and toss until evenly coated.
• Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. With thin sharp knife dipped into flour, cut each ball into 8 wedges, cutting three-fourths of the way down into ball but not through bottom. Gently indent center of each ball with thumb.
• Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until set and edges just begin to brown. Immediately press 1 jelly bean in center of each cookie. Cool 1 minute; carefully remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 10 minutes. Store in tightly covered container.

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl beat butter and shortening 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 eggs and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour (dough should be stiff).
• Cover and chill dough at least 2 hours or overnight until dough is easy to handle.
• Divide dough into portions, one for each color that you want to use. Knead food coloring into each portion, adding it slowly until the desired color is reached (colors lighten slightly when dough is baked). If desired, lightly knead two colors together for dough with a marbled appearance.
• Break off small pieces of different colors of dough and form into flower shapes. (As a guideline, use about 1/2 teaspoon dough for each petal or leaf.)
• Bake in a 300 degree F oven for 15 minutes or until edges are firm and cookies look set but bottoms are not brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool. Makes about 24 cookies.