Sparkling Sugar Cookies

From Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Magazine, December 2010, pg 48

Makes: 16 (15 inch) Cookies

Ingredients:

2 (17.5 oz) packages Sugar Cookie Mix

4 tbsp All Purpose Flour

2 large Eggs, lightly beaten

2/3 cup Butter, softened

2 tsp Clear Vanilla Extract

2 tsp Whole Milk

3 (16 oz) containers White Frosting

Red Food Coloring Paste

Green Food Coloring Paste

1 (7 oz) package White Cookie Icing

Toppings:

White, Red, & Green Sanding Sugar

Edible White Glitter

Oyster Pearls

Silver French Dragees

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) In a large bowl, stir together cookie mixes, flour, eggs, butter, vanilla, and milk until a stiff dough forms.

3) On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Using 5 inch cookie cutters, cut out cookies. Place on ungreased baking sheets.

Note: To hang cookies as ornaments, use a plastic drinking straw to cut a hole in top of each dough cutout.

4) Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden brown. Let cool on pans for 1 minute. Remove to wire racks to cool completely (about 1 hour). Place parchment paper under wire racks.

5) Gradually tint 1 container of frosting with red food coloring paste, stirring to achieve desired color. Gradually tint the second container with green food coloring paste, stirring to achieve desired color. Microwave all 3 containers of frosting on High for 20 second intervals until frosting is pouring consistency. Slowly pour desired (white, green, or red) frosting over cookies. Let stand for 10 minutes, or until set. Decorate cookies as desired with cookie icing and toppings.