Holiday Party, with Recipes

Snowflake Sugar Cookies

shopping tip :
Most people overlook this small detail: Check your baking powder for an expiration date before making these cookies. Replace if it has gone beyond its "use by" date.

• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel (optional)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Powdered Sugar Glaze

In large mixing bowl beat butter on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, milk, vanilla extract, and lemon peel until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Divide dough in half. If necessary, cover and chill dough about 30 minutes or until easy to handle.

On lightly floured surface, roll half the dough at a time to 1/8 inch thick. Using 2 1/2- to 3-inch cookie cutter, cut into desired shapes. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375°F oven 5 to 7 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are very lightly browned. Transfer to wire rack and let cool. Frost with Powdered Sugar Glaze. Makes 36 cookies.

Powdered Sugar Glaze:
Combine 6 cups sifted powdered sugar and 1/3 cup milk in mixing bowl. Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make mixture of glazing consistency.