Sandra Lees Christmas Sugar Cookie Cake Recipes

NEW YORK CHEESECAKE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, flour and baking powder. In a medium bowl, beat together the butter with the brown sugar using an electric hand mixer. Add the egg white and beat until well combined. Add to the graham cracker crumbs and blend until just combined.
• In a separate medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar, egg yolk, lemon zest and vanilla until well combined. Set aside.
• Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop out the cookie dough and place on a nonstick or parchment lined baking sheet. (If you do not have an ice scoop, then measure out the dough into scoops of about 2 tablespoons.) Flatten slightly, pressing your thumb in the center of the ball to create a small bowl shape. Repeat with the remaining dough. Spoon the cream cheese into the indents in the cookies.
• Bake until the filling is barely set and the cookies are lightly golden, 12 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets before removing them and cooling completely on a wire rack.

LEMON SUGAR COOKIES WITH SANDY'S COLORED SUGAR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the lemon zest and juice and mix well. In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to butter mixture and mix to combine. Shape into a log and wrap in heavy-duty plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
• Divide the sugar between 2 small resealable plastic bags. Add 8 to 10 drops of 1 color of food coloring to each bag. Shake vigorously to distribute and color the sugar. Put the colored sugar into 2 separate plates.
• Slice the log into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Dip the cookies on 1 side into the sugar, making 12 of each color. Arrange the cookies on baking sheets, spacing evenly, and bake until lightly browned, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, then remove the cookies from the pans. Cool completely on wire racks before serving.

SNOW FLAKES AND PEACE DOVES CUT-OUT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the cookie mix with the cream cheese until crumbly. Mix in the eggs and flavoring until well combined. Add enough flour to make a firm dough that can be rolled out. Roll dough out on lightly floured board to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out snow flakes, doves, or other desired shapes.
• Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes.
• While the cookies are baking, make the icing by combining powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add 1 teaspoon of water at a time until it reaches desired consistency.
• Decorate cookies with royal icing. Allow to dry for 1 hour.

CANDY CANE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a bowl, combine sugar cookie mix, melted butter, egg, cream cheese, and flour; mix together to form dough. Separate dough into 2 equal portions and place in 2 different bowls. Add red food coloring gradually to 1 bowl of dough, kneading together until desired shade of red is created. To second bowl of uncolored dough, add peppermint extract and knead together. On a floured work surface, shape each dough into balls and then roll each ball into 1/4-inch-wide ropes, each about 6 inches long. For each cookie, carefully twist some of the red and white ropes of dough together and shape into a candy cane. Spread candy canes out on cookie sheets and bake on the top shelf of the oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool before serving.