RED SUGAR COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees F. In small bowl sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder; set aside.
• In large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high speed 30 seconds. add sugar; beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in as much flour mixture as you can with mixer; stir in remaining flour mixture.
• Roll dough on lightly floured surface; cut out shapes. place on ungreased cookie sheets. Lightly press in candies. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes. Cool on racks. Makes 48 cookies.

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, the softened butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the almond extract and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon, until well blended. Stir in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Divide dough in half; shape dough into 2 disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Roll each disk on lightly floured surface until 1/4 inch thick. Cut with 2- to 2 1/2-inch cookie cutters into desired shapes. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cutouts at least 2 inches apart.
• Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely.
• In medium bowl, beat 3 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla with spoon until smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too stiff to spread, add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time. Tint with food color. Spread frosting on cooled cookies. Decorate as desired with colored sugar or candy sprinkles. Let stand about 4 hours or until frosting is set. Store covered in airtight container at room temperature with waxed paper between layers.