Christmas Sugar Cookies with Icing Glaze

(from Allrecipes; makes 5 dozen)

 1 1/2 cups butter, softened

 2 cups white sugar

 4 eggs

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 5 cups all-purpose flour

 2 teaspoons baking powder

 1 teaspoon salt

 1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill dough for at least one hour, or overnight.

 2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

 3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely before adding icing.

SUGAR COOKIE ICING:

(from Allrecipes; this recipe frosts 1 dozen cookies, so you’ll need to multiply this by 5 for 5 dozen cookies)

 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

 2 teaspoons milk

 2 teaspoons light corn syrup

 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

 Assorted food coloring

 Confectioners’ sugar for decorating (or your favorite sprinkles)

 1. In a small bowl, stir together confectioners’ sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.

 2. Divide into separate bowls, and add food colorings to each to desired intensity. Dip completely cooled cookies in icing, or paint them with a brush.

Recipe Source: http://nancycreative.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/elizabeths-sugar-cookies/