December Cookies :)

December is here...welcoming christmas (and my birthday :p)...makes me want to bake cakes and make cookies. I just love to make random cakes or cookies and give it to my family and friends...it feels nice :)

Got this cookies recipe from Real Simple's website and the icing from allrecipes' website...but we changed it a bit....all you need...

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:

 

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium-high until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the egg, then the vanilla and salt. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour, mixing until just combined (do not overmix). Shape into a 1-inch-thick disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hours and up to 2 days. Heat oven to 200° C. On a floured surface, roll the dough ¼ inch thick. Using lightly floured 2- to 3-inch cookie cutters, cut the dough into shapes, flouring the cutters and rerolling the scraps as necessary. Place 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with decorating sugar, if using. Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until the edges just begin to brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

For the icing: 

2/3 - 1 cup confectioners' sugar (it's up to you...as for me, I don't like cookies that's too sweet)
8 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons light corn syrup (we changed it with honey, check the substitute sites for cooking).
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
assorted food coloring

In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in honey and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more milk. 

Divide into separate bowls, and add food colorings to each to desired intensity, be carefull with the coloring, 1 tiny drop is enough. Dip cookies, or paint them with a brush. 

The fun thing about making cookies...you can decorate it whatever you want to. Mine was not as pretty as the cookies in the shops/bakery as you can see :p But it's fun, easy and you can do it with kids too. I'm so gonna make this with my students :) Go have a try and...Happy December!