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Elf Cookies Recipe

Course Seasonal
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 28
Author Originally published as Elf Cookies in Quick Cooking November/December 2005, p20

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough softened
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar divided
  • 3 tablespoons milk divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract divided
  • 6 drops red food coloring divided
  • 140 milk chocolate M&M's about 2/3 cup
  • 56 almond slices about 4 teaspoons
  • 56 brown M&M's miniature baking bits about 1 tablespoon
  • 28 red M&M's miniature baking bits about 1-1/2 teaspoons

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, beat cookie dough and flour until combined.
  2. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-in. thickness.
  3. Cut with a floured 1-3/4-in. x 3-1/4-in. diamond cookie cutter.
  4. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  5. Bake at 350° for 7-9 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
  6. Remove to wire racks to cool.
  7. For one batch of glaze, in a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, 4-1/2 teaspoons milk and 1/4 teaspoon extract.
  8. Remove 1 tablespoon glaze to another bowl.
  9. Tint remaining glaze with 3 drops food coloring.
  10. Working with one cookie at a time, spread red glaze over top half of cookie.
  11. Place one M&M at top for tassel and four M&M's across edge of glaze for hat brim.
  12. For ears, place two almonds above M&M's on each end.
  13. Dip baking bits in plain glaze; place brown bits on cookie for eyes and a red bit for nose. Repeat with 13 more cookies.
  14. Make second batch of glaze with remaining confectioners' sugar, milk, extract and food coloring.
  15. Decorate remaining cookies as above.