Recipe: Cut-Out Sugar Cookies (using orange juice, 4 recipes)

Hi Karla, Here are 4 recipes for you to check out. If your recipe doesn't turn up, I hope one of these will be close. Happy Holiday Baking! Betsy

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OLD FASHIONED BUTTER COOKIES
Makes 6 dozen 2-inch cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. orange juice
1 tsp. vanilla
Buttercream Frosting (recipe follows)

In 3 quart mixer bowl, cream butter, sugar and egg until light and fluffy. Beat in flour, baking powder, orange juice and vanilla until smooth and well combined. Chill 2 to 3 hours or until firm enough to be rolled.

WHEN READY TO BAKE:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Roll out dough, 1/2 at a time, on well floured surface to 1/8 to 1/4-inch thickness. (For a crisper cookie, roll to 1/8-inch thickness; for a softer cookie roll to 1/4-inch thickness.) Cut out with cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake near center of 400 degree F oven for 6 to 10 minutes or until golden brown on edges. Cool on wire rack.

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 to 2 tablespoons milk (as needed)
1 teaspoon vanilla

In 1 1/2 quart mixer bowl cream confectioners' sugar and butter on low speed until combined. Add milk and vanilla. Beat on high speed until fluffy, about 1 1/2 minutes.

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CUT-OUT COOKIES AND ICING

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
Icing (recipe follows)
Decorations (as desired)

Cream together sugar, butter or margarine and eggs.

In separate bowl add together flour, baking powder and baking soda; stir. Then add dry items to the creamed mixture. Chill mixed dough or put it in freezer for half hour or so.

WHEN READY TO BAKE:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Roll a small section at a time 1/8-inch thick and then cut as desired. Place on a greased baking sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 6-8 minutes. Place cookies on a rack to cool.

Ice cooled cookies and decorate as desired.

ICING

1 (1 pound) box powdered sugar
3/4 stick butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Milk or fruit juice - orange, lemon, etc. (as needed)
Food coloring (optional)

Place powdered sugar, butter and vanilla in a bowl. Use a mixer to blend together. Add milk or juice into batter sparingly until creamy but not runny. Add food color for desired colors.

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ORANGE SUGAR COOKIES
Makes about 7 dozen cookies

4 cups flour
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup butter or margarine, at room temperature
1 tbsp. orange rind

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Cream butter, sugar and beat in eggs. Stir in orange juice concentrate and grated orange rind. Add flour mixture and chill 3 to 4 hours. Dough will be soft.

WHEN READY TO BAKE:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

On floured board, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter; place on on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

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BEST EVER BUTTER COOKIES AND 1-2-3 FROSTING
Makes 3 dozen cookies

2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. orange juice
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
Green and red food coloring (optional)
1-2-3 Frosting (recipe follows)
Colored sugars (optional)
Shredded coconut (optional)
Cinnamon candies (optional)

In large mixing bowl, combine first 7 ingredients. Beat at low speed, about 1-2 minutes, until well mixed, scraping bowl often.

If desired, divide dough into 3 equal portions; color 2 portions of dough with desired food coloring. Wrap dough in wax paper; refrigerate 2-3 hours, until firm.

WHEN READY TO BAKE:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

On well floured surface, roll out 1/3 of dough at a time to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out dough with 3-inch cookie cutters; place shapes 1-inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 6-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let cool completely.

Frost and decorate cooled cookies with colored sugars, shredded coconuts and cinnamon candies, as desired.

1-2-3 FROSTING
Makes enough frosting to decorate 3 dozen cookies

4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 to 4 tbsp. milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract

In small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Beat at low speed, about 1-2 minutes, until fluffy, scraping bowl often.