Paula Deen's Iced Christmas Sugar Cookies

Total Time: 32 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 3 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• paste food coloring, assorted colors

Recipe

• 1 to make the cookies - in a large bowl, beat butter and next 3 ingredients at medium speed with a mixer until fluffy. add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each additon.
• 2 in a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. gradually add to butter mixture, beating until combined. cover dough with plastic and chill for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.
• 3 preheat oven to 350 degrees. line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• 4 on lightly flour surface roll dough to 1/4" thickness. cut dough with desired cutters. reroll dough scraps and cut out cookies until all dough has been used.
• 5 bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. let cool on pans for 2 miutes and then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
• 6 to make royal icing - in a small bowl, whisk water and meringue powder until foamy. gradually add confectioners sugar, whisking until smooth. divide into small bowls and tint with food coloring pastes, stirring to achieve desired colors.
• 7 decorate cookes as desired with royal icing, dragees and sugar sprinkles.
• 8 store in airtight containers for up to 1 week.