Sugar Cookie Handprints Recipes

HAND COOKIES

Steps:

• For the cookies: Cream the granulated sugar, shortening, vanilla and orange zest thoroughly. Add the eggs and beat until light and fluffy. Add the milk and mix. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt, and then blend into the sugar mixture.
• Divide the dough in half, slightly flatten between two sheets of waxed paper and refrigerate, about 1 hour (or freeze for 20 minutes).
• For the egg yolk glaze: While dough is chilling, separate the eggs, reserving the whites and placing each yolk into an individual small bowl. Add 4 teaspoons water and different food coloring to each yolk and combine to make the egg yolk glaze.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface. Carefully cut around hands using a dull knife.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Transfer the hand cookies to a lightly greased cookie sheet and paint the cookies (with a soft brush) with the egg yolk glazes.
• Bake the cookies, about 6 minutes. Do not allow the cookies to brown.
• Transfer the cookies from the oven to a wire rack to cool.
• While the cookies are cooling, make the frosting: Simply combine the powdered sugar, butter, heavy cream and vanilla in a food mixer until light and fluffy. If you like you can put the frosting in disposable piping bags to make decorating easier. Decorate the cookies with the frosting and any edible decorations, jewels, disco dust, sanding sugar you like.

SUGAR-COOKIE HANDPRINTS

Steps:

• Into a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Combine butter and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl; beat on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture; beat until combined.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Divide dough into 6 balls. Press balls on a floured work surface until about 4 or 5 inches in diameter, leaving edges raw to resemble rough cement. Transfer to a baking sheet. With lightly floured hands, let birthday child gently and evenly press each hand into a piece of dough to make hand print indentations. Sprinkle indentations with sanding sugar. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Bake until edges of cookies are just turning golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.