Leaf Cookies Recipes

LEAF COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Stir together sugar, butter and shortening in large bowl. Stir in vanilla and eggs. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt.
• Divide dough into 3 equal parts. Stir 8 drops yellow food color into 1 part dough to make yellow dough. Stir 8 drops yellow and 3 drops red food color into another part dough to make orange dough. Stir 10 drops red, 8 drops green and 3 drops yellow food color into remaining dough to make brown dough.
• Drop small portions of each of the 3 colors of dough close together in random pattern onto lightly floured cloth-covered surface. Roll doughs together into marbled pattern to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with 2 1/2- to 3-inch leaf-shaped cookie cutter. Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 6 to 7 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched in center. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

LEAF SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Sift the cake flour, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture in two batches until just combined. Divide the dough between 2 pieces of plastic wrap; shape into disks. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. (The dough can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling.)
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Working with 1 disk at a time, roll out the dough on a floured surface, dusting with flour as needed, until about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out shapes with 2- to 4-inch leaf cookie cutters; arrange 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. (If the dough becomes too soft as you work, return to the refrigerator until firm.) Gather the scraps and refrigerate until firm; reroll once to cut out more cookies. Chill the cutouts 30 minutes.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350˚. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are slightly puffed and just slightly golden on the edge, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely before decorating.

MAPLE MARBLED LEAF COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, flour, melted butter, egg, cinnamon and maple extract until soft dough forms.
• On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut with 3 1/2-inch leaf-shaped cookie cutter; place cutouts 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• In 2 small bowls, place 2/3 cup each of frosting; tint 1 bowl orange and 1 bowl yellow by stirring in food color to desired color. Tint remaining frosting with red food color to desired color. In large microwavable bowl, spoon colored frostings in bottom. (Do not mix colors together.) Microwave uncovered on High 20 to 30 seconds or until warmed and thinner consistency. Pull table knife through warmed frosting several times to make swirls.
• Dip top side of each cookie into glaze, letting excess drip off. Place cookie right side up on cooling rack placed over cookie sheet or waxed paper. Rewarm frosting mixture in microwave to maintain dipping consistency, and repeat swirling, if needed. Let stand about 2 hours or until set. Store covered in airtight container at room temperature with waxed paper between layers.