SUGARCUT RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and extracts. Combine the flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and chill for 2-3 hours or until easy to handle. , On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes or until the edges begin to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. , For icing, cream the butter and shortening in a bowl. Add vanilla and salt. Gradually add the sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add milk; beat until light and fluffy. Tint icing with desired colors of food coloring; decorate the cookies.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and granulated sugar for 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the eggs, orange juice, orange peel, and orange extract.
• Beat in the flour mixture, a little at a time, until well-blended.
• Divide the dough into thirds, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 3 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease baking sheets or use silpats.
• Place one-third of the dough on a lightly floured surface, leaving the remaining two-thirds in the refrigerator.
• Using a floured rolling pin, roll to 1/8 inch thickness.
• Using floured cookie cutters, cut into shapes.
• Arrange on the prepared baking sheets and repeat until all the dough has been used.
• Bake for 11 minutes, or until lightly browned.
• Cool on a rack for 2 minutes- Remove to the rack to cool completely.
• (If you want, before baking and after cutting out shapes, mix 1 egg white and 2 Tablespoons water, then brush each cookie with this mixture and sprinkle on colored sugar for holidays).