SUGAR SPICE COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a cookie sheet.
• In a small saucepan, bring the 11/4 cup of water, raisins, shortening, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a boil. Remove from heat, beat in eggs, one at a time. Dissolve salt, soda, and liquid sweetener into the remaining 2 tablespoons of water; add alternately to the egg mixture, with the flour and baking powder.
• Drop cookies by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool on wire racks.

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.