Categories: cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp. milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 10 drops red food coloring (or more as needed)
- 1 bag mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons
- 1 bag small cinnamon hard candies (RED HOTS) for nose
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 1 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. milk
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Beat the butter at room temperature on high for about 30 seconds or until light and fluffy.
- Add in the sugar and beat until combined. Then add in the milk and vanilla while the mixer is still going. Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually add the flour. Remove one cup of the dough and set aside. With the remaining dough, add in the red food coloring.
- To create a Santa, make one 1-inch ball and five 1/2 inch balls from the red dough. From the plain dough, make a 3/4 inch ball and five 1/4 inch balls. You will have a body, a head, hat, four red arms and legs, and four hands and feet and a white ball for the top of the hat. Repeat until all dough is used.
- On a non-stick cookie sheet, attach the Santas by pushing the dough parts together ( not too much, just so they touch) Add the chocolate chips for eyes and three buttons.
- Bake the Santas for 12-15 minutes and then let them cool for about 2 minutes. Add the cinnamon candy nose to the face.
- To make the frosting for Santa’s beard, beat the shortening and vanilla for about 30 seconds. Gradually add the powdered sugar and enough milk to make the frosting piping consistency.
- Spoon frosting into a decorating pastry bag with fun tip to create Santa’s beard; go around the face, arms and legs.
- You will want to double this recipe, so you can have one for each of your friends and family.