Christmas Tree Cookies

This is probably my all-time favorite cookie recipe, and one that is very dear to my heart. My Aunt Janice made these cookies for many years and passed along the tradition to me when I was a young girl. Ever since then, I've been making these yummy cookies for family, friends, and myself (don't judge, they're hard to resist!). The orange flavored icing is a real treat for the taste buds. These cookies can be made in any shape and with any color of icing, so they're perfect for all occasions. Enjoy!

Christmas Tree Cookies 

by Victoria Fisher

Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups flour, sifted

3 tsp. baking powder

Cream butter. Add sugar gradually. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Cream well. Add flour sifted with baking powder. Mix well. Chill dough for at least 10 minutes (or longer to make dough stiff enough to work with).

Roll out dough on floured surface (I use flour liberally to make sure nothing sticks). Cut into tree shapes or any other shape you want. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes until very light golden color.

1 batch makes about 3-4 dozen cookies.

Orange Icing

            ½ cup Crisco (butter flavor)

            1 box of powdered sugar (4 cups)

            ¼ cup of hot water

            1 teaspoon orange extract

Mix all ingredients together on slow speed with electric mixer. Do not beat. You can add more or less powdered sugar or water in order to reach a good thickness. Spoon icing into separate bowls and dye with food coloring (for the Christmas tree shapes, I use green for the tree and pink for the stars). Use decorating bags and tips to ice the cookies, or spread icing with a knife. Be creative!