Christmas Cookie Ornaments

Christmas Cookie Ornaments

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting:
6-2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assorted liquid or paste food coloring
9 yards of 1/8-inch-wide ribbon in Christmas colors of your choice
Christmas cookie cutters or sizes of your choice

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar. Beat in the honey, egg and vanilla. Gradually add the flour and salt. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll to an 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters dipped in flour. Transfer cutouts to ungreased baking sheets.

Using a straw, make a hole in the top of each cookie. Remove the center circle of dough. Bake the cookies at 350° for 6 minutes o until the edges are lightly browned. Remove the cookies to wire racks to cool.

For frosting, combine the confectioners' sugar, water, corn syrup and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Tint the frosting with liquid or paste food coloring in desired colors.

Place each color of frosting in a pastry or plastic bag. Cut a small hole in the tip of each bag. Spread and pipe frosting onto cookies as desired.

If desired, create stitch marks on a stocking or veins on holly leaves by dipping a toothpick in food coloring and painting on the lines.

For hanging loops, cut forty 8-in. strips of 1/8-in.-wide ribbon. Thread a ribbon strip through the hole in each cookie and tie the ends into a bow. Makes 40 (3-inch) cookies.