Holiday Fun

This afternoon we had a fun little Christmas activity at our house with Logan and some of his very best friends. We had a potluck lunch, the kids decorated Christmas cookies, and we had a gift exchange. It was a great, fun time for the kids! Every year we use Eric's recipe (which I believe he got from his mom at one point) for our cookie decorating. This was the first year Logan really participated much, and he had a great time. He helped daddy make the dough, cut the cookies out, and had a blast decorating.

German Cut-Out Cookies

1 c butter, softened
2/3 c sugar
1/2 c light corn syrup
1 T lemon juice
1 egg, beaten
4 c flour
1/4 t salt

Cream butter. Beat in sugar until dissolved. Mix in corn syrup, lemon juice, and egg. Stir together 4 c flour and 1/4 t salt. Mix into butter mixture. Chill one hour. Roll 1/3 of dough at a time to 1/8" thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place 1" apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned around edge.

Powdered Sugar Glaze

This frosting will harden upon standing, giving cookies a glazed surface ideal for decorating.

2 1/2 c powdered sugar
2 T water
1 T light corn syrup
1 T butter, softened
1/2 t almond extract or vanilla
Food coloring, if desired

In small mixer bowl, combine powdered sugar, water, corn syrup, butter, and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until smooth, adding additional water if necessary to reach desired spreading consistency. Color with food coloring, if desired. Frost cookies. Let stand until hardened (6 hours or overnight).

*We put the frosting inside small ziplock bags and snipped a tiny hole in the corner. It made it easy for the kids to frost without making too much mess.