Happy Christmas Eve!, A Last Minute, Santa Approved Cookie!

This is the time of year where you must not go without a batch of good fashion sugar cookies in your home.Its the most popular treat amongst this season, along with buttery shortbread.Everyone has their favorite version and brings their own twist to the beloved cookie.Its also Santa's favorite cookie to munch on when he visits your home Christmas eve night.So if you need an easy and last minute cookie recipe for guests and Santa.Be sure to check out this one,you won't be disappointed, gran-teed.

This is what you call your typical easy rolled out sugar cookie recipe.Its made with simple ingredients and guess what its a no chilled cookie dough.The directions are short and sweet,with a lot of room for adapting with your own ideas.Lastly,it gives you an simple glaze that is optional.

I love this cookie recipe just for the fact it doesn't have to be chilled.This is great because it gives you so much more time to put towards decorating and the kids don't have to wait to impatiently.Its a win,win situation.Now once these cookies are cooled,the decorating will take some time depending on your skills and if you want to do all of them.Its really up to you and if you have children get them involved to get them done faster.Really this is the best part of any recipe and just remember sprinkles are an easy and inexpensive way to decorate a Christmas cookie.I got to give this recipe two thumbs up for simplicity and quick to make.

Now on to the flavor,texture and appearance of the treat.Now we all know these are pretty elegant sugar cookies and I put a lot of work into decorating each one.However that's just my opinion and I hope I impressed my foodie friends this year.However everyone wants to year about how they taste,right? 

Well these are of course quite buttery,but these have a flavor twist of using two different extracts.You will get an hint of vanilla along with a surprising lemony flavor.The flavors work in combination with each so well and just a simple change to the beloved recipe.Then with those flavors you have the sweetness from the sugar along with the soft and crunchy texture of the cookie.This treat has all the important key points of a good old fashion sugar cookie and your guests will love you for it.

So if you have limited time and have little helpers at your disposable.Get them involved in this recipe and tell them these are Santa's favorite cookies.They will have a lot of fun decorating these treats and you even have the option of leaving just a few untouched,especially for guest that love just a simple sugar cookie.So have a great Christmas Eve and I will see you tomorrow for my last holiday post.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Roll-Out Sugar Cookies(Adapted By Taste Of Home)

1 cup butter,softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp lemon extract

3 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

Glaze: (optional)

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tbsp water

1 tbsp corn syrup

Food Coloring,optional

In a kitchen aid mixer,cream butter and sugar.Add egg and extracts.

Combine flour and baking powder.

Gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.Tip: Dough will be very stiff,do not chill.
 

On a lightly floured surface,roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness.Cut out cookies into desired holiday shapes.Place 2 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet.
 

Bake at 400 F for 6-7 minutes or until edges are lightly golden brown.Its best to use a light colored baking sheet. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for two minutes and remove to a wire rack to cool completely. 

For glaze,combine the sugar,water, and corn syrup until smooth.Tint with food coloring,if desired and decorate.