EGG-SHAPED COOKIE RECIPES

Steps:

• Make the cookies: in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
• In another large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with a hand mixer on medium-high until light in color and fluffy in texture, 3-5 minutes.
• Add the egg and mix until incorporated.
• Mix in the lemon zest and vanilla, then add the flour mixture and mix with a spatula until just combined.
• Transfer the cookie dough to a clean work surface and divide into two balls. Flatten each into a 5-inch (12-cm) disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 3 days.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the dough discs into a ¼-inch (6 mm) thick circle.
• Use egg-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer to the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake until the cookies are golden around the edges, 6-8 minutes depending on the size.
• Cool for 1 minute on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating. Repeat with the other dough disc.
• Make the icing: in a large bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed with a hand mixer until foamy. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the sugar, beating until completely incorporated. Add the lemon juice and return the speed to high, beating until the icing is very stiff, 5-7 minutes.
• Divide the icing between four bowls and color three with food coloring of choice.
• Transfer the icings to piping bags or plastic bags fitted with round tips and decorate the cooled cookies.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Cream powdered sugar and butter for cookies in a bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in lemon zest.
• Combine sifted flour with baking powder and salt. Sift again, then add to the butter mixture alternately with the milk, stirring after each addition until just combined. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a cookie sheet.
• Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator. Lightly dust your hands with flour and roll 2 tablespoons dough between your palms into a 3-inch long cylinder with tapering ends. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are a pale straw color, about 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately transfer cookies to wire racks. Allow to cool thoroughly, about 30 minutes.
• While the cookies are cooling, prepare icings. Combine powdered sugar, lemon juice, and warm water for lemon icing in one bowl, and combine powdered sugar, warm water, chocolate, and vanilla for chocolate icing in a second bowl. Stir both icings until smooth and thin enough to pour.
• Put waxed paper under the racks of cookies. Pour about 1 tablespoon lemon icing over a cookie, beginning in the center and continuing around the sides until cookie is evenly coated. Repeat to frost 1/2 of the cookies with lemon icing and the other 1/2 with chocolate icing. Scoop up an icing that drips on the waxed paper and stir into the remaining icing. Use extra icing as needed to coat cookies. Let icing dry until no longer sticky, about 30 minutes.
• Use tubes or pressurized cans of decorating icing to make your own fanciful design of flowers, geometric shapes, or Easter motifs.