DECORATED LEAF COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, flour, melted butter, egg, cinnamon and maple extract until soft dough forms.
• On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut with 3 1/2-inch leaf-shaped cookie cutter; place cutouts 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• In 2 small bowls, place 2/3 cup each of frosting; tint 1 bowl orange and 1 bowl yellow by stirring in food color to desired color. Tint remaining frosting with red food color to desired color. In large microwavable bowl, spoon colored frostings in bottom. (Do not mix colors together.) Microwave uncovered on High 20 to 30 seconds or until warmed and thinner consistency. Pull table knife through warmed frosting several times to make swirls.
• Dip top side of each cookie into glaze, letting excess drip off. Place cookie right side up on cooling rack placed over cookie sheet or waxed paper. Rewarm frosting mixture in microwave to maintain dipping consistency, and repeat swirling, if needed. Let stand about 2 hours or until set. Store covered in airtight container at room temperature with waxed paper between layers.

Steps:

• Combine butter and sugar in bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy. Add egg, milk and almond extract; continue beating until well mixed. Add flour and baking powder; beat at low speed until well mixed.
• Divide dough into thirds; place each portion into separate bowls. Add very small amount of red gel food color to 1 portion; mix well. Add additional red gel for desired color, if necessary. Repeat with remaining dough portions and gel food colors.
• Shape each dough into ball; flatten each ball to 1/2-inch thickness. Wrap each in plastic food wrap; refrigerate 2-3 hours or until firm.
• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Working with half of each dough color (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), drop tablespoon-size pieces of dough from each color onto well-floured surface in random pattern with dough pieces touching. Roll out dough to 1/4- to 1/8-inch thickness, forming marbled design. Cut with 3-inch leaf-shaped cookie cutters.
• Place cookies, 1 inch apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with decorator sugar. Bake 7-9 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack.