THE LAKES AND STARS RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine sugar and butter in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add egg, corn syrup and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed. Add all remaining ingredients except powdered sugar; beat at low speed until well mixed.
• Divide dough into thirds. Shape each third into round ball; flatten to 1/2-inch thickness. Wrap in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate 1-2 hours until firm or up to 3 days.
• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-third at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with 2 to 3-inch star cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 5-7 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack. Cool completely. Sift powdered sugar over cooled cookies.

Steps:

• Using a food processor with a coarse grating disc, grate the potatoes and onion. Transfer the mixture to a clean dishtowel and squeeze and wring out as much of the liquid as possible.
• Working quickly, transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder and pepper, and mix until the flour is absorbed.
• In a medium heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, pour in about 1/4 inch of the oil. Once the oil is hot (a drop of batter placed in the pan should sizzle), use a heaping tablespoon to drop the batter into the hot pan, cooking in batches. Use a spatula to flatten and shape the drops into discs. When the edges of the latkes are brown and crispy, about 5 minutes, flip. Cook until the second side is deeply browned, about another 5 minutes. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle with salt while still warm. Repeat with the remaining batter.