SANTA CLAUS COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. Mix granulated sugar, shortening, milk, lemon peel and egg.
• 2. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• 3. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• 4. Shape dough into 1-1/4 inch balls.
• 5. Place about 2-inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten each to about 2-1/2 inch in diameter, with greased bottom of a beverage glass dipped in sugar.
• 6. Bake until edges are light brown, 8 to 10 minutes; then let cookies cool completely before frosting them.
• 7. Spread cookie with small amount of Creamy Frosting.
• 8. Sprinkle top third of cookie with red sugar (to make Santa's cap).
• 9. Press on miniature marshmallow for tassel of cap.
• 10. Press 2 chocolate chips for the eyes, and 1 red cinnamon candy for the nose.
• 11. Sprinkle bottom third with either flaked or shredded coconut, for the beard.
• 12. Frost and decorate each cookie before starting another.
• 13. Creamy Frosting: Mix 3 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 4-6 tablespoons milk; mix until desired consistency. (I actually used: 3 cups plus 6 tablespoons of powdered sugar, 6 tablespoons plus a 1/2 tablespoon of milk, and the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.)
• 14. Note: I baked my cookies on Pampered Chef Stoneware, and baked the first 2-3 batches for 10 minutes, and the last 2 batches for 9 minutes, as the cookies were starting to brown up a bit more.