[Recipe] Holiday Sugar Cookies with Natural Dye Icing

It is hard to believe the holidays are already upon us!  One of the time honored traditions this time of year is baking and decorating cookies with your family.  A big part of the fun (especially with children) is using colors to make the stocking red, the present blue, or the tree green.  Help keep your family safe from synthetic dyes this holiday season by trying our Sugar Cookies with Natural Dye Icing.  For a full guide to making or using natural food dyes, please see Natural Food Dye: Homemade Food Coloring Solutions for Safe and Delicious Holiday Baking

INGREDIENTS:

COOKIES:

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cup sifted confectioner's sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups sifted flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cream of tartar

1/4 tsp. salt

ICING:

1/2 cup white sugar

1 3/4 tablespoons water

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 teaspoons milk

Optional:

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract OR

1/4 teaspoon almond extract for additional flavor

Natural food coloring -  See our guide to using natural food coloring here Natural Food Dye: Homemade Food Coloring Solutions for Safe and Delicious Holiday Baking

DIRECTIONS:

COOKIES:

Cream butter in a medium bowl

Gradually add sugar until fluffy 

Add unbeaten egg and vanilla, beat well

Sift together dry ingredients

Blend into creamed mixture

Refrigerate dough until chilled 

Roll on a well floured board 

Cut with your favorite holiday cookie cutters

Bake at 400 for 4-6 minutes depending on the size of your cookies

Watch carefully to be sure they don't over bake!

Transfer to a rack to cool and decorate as desired

ICING:

Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until dissolved

Stir together confectioner's sugar and milk in a small bowl until smooth. 

Add vanilla or almond extract if desired

Add sugar water and stir until smooth

ICING TIPS:

If your mixture seems too thin, add additional confectioner's sugar.  If it is too thick, add additional milk.

To add natural color, divide icing into separate bowls and use our guide Natural Food Dye: Homemade Food Coloring Solutions for Safe and Delicious Holiday Baking to achieve desired colors

Photo Credit: ©anaumenko - stock.adobe.com