Abort! Abort! Change of Plans!

Mom and I are headed for the Loony Bin again if we continue at our current pace (never said I haven't been there before).





After the Santa Cookie madness, we decided not to do any more cookies until things have settled down a bit.

HOWEVER, we are still going to make the Pumpkin Bars (I LOVE THEM!!!).  Let me know if you are interested in buying some.  They are super yummy!  They will be $12/pan (12"X15") or $1/square (1/12 of the pan).  I can have them ready for your Christmas party!  Just let me know when you want them delivered! :)

Since it's almost Christmas, I decided that I better hurry up and make my Christmas presents.
I'm planning on making Karizas for my Secret Santa, Audrey (my little sister)... AND ME!!! :)
I saw some in Hawaii and automatically fell in love with them... but I didn't want to spend $80 on one...
Yeah.
No.
Not gonna happen...

Then, I hope to make Audrey a matching Ruffle Skirt.

And maybe a cowboy quilt for Aiden.

I still think that I'm gonna be in the Loony Bin by Christmas!  

Oh, yeah...  One more thing:
I will post the Pumpkin Bar recipe ONLY if I get at least 15 comments to this post.
Do you want the recipe?
Yeah.
The recipe is THAT good!
I'm not giving out freebies anymore unless I know you really appreciate me! :)  Pass the blog along and get your friends, relatives, pets, etc. to comment.
I'm not going in the Loony Bin for nothing!!!
I'm bringing you all with me!  You ready?!!!

Santa Sugar Cookies

Today we made Santa Cookies.

We used my mom's favorite sugar cookie recipe and cut out stars for the Santa bodies.

Then came the decorating part... Let's just say that the red food coloring we used did not produce a vibrant red hue like we had hoped...  

BUT we did successfully pull off a very nice hot pink :P

As you can see, Mrs. Claus revamped Santa's wardrobe this year.  

Then, I ran out of black frosting, so Santa got a purty silver sparkle belt instead.  It's the year of Santa's fashion overhaul!  Hope you like it as much as I do! :)

Santa Sugar Cookie Recipe

Yield: about 2 1/2 dozen

*Warning: these take a really long time to make, but are fun!*

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 egg

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar

2-4 Tbsp milk

red food coloring (NOT Wilton gel...)

1 tube (4.25 oz) black decorating icing

1 tube (4.25 oz) white decorating icing

1 tube (4.25 oz) yellow decorating icing

red mini M&M's

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.  In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.

In a large bowl, using a mixer set on medium, beat granulated sugar and butter.  Stir in egg, sour cream and vanilla.  Add flour mixture, stirring until a dough forms.

On a floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness.  Using a large star cookie cutter, cut out shapes; place on prepared baking sheets.  Bake until edges are golden, 8-10 minutes.  Transfer cookies to racks immediately; cool completely.

In a bowl, combine powdered sugar and enough milk to make a thin icing; tint red.  Spoon icing over the hat and suit portion of cookies; set aside to dry completely, about 1 hour.

Using the black icing fitted with a writing tip, pipe the mittens and boots.  Pipe a black belt on each cookie.

Using the white icing fitted with a small star tip, pipe the beard and fringe details.

Press red M&M's onto beards for the mouths.   Pipe on white icing for the eyes; pipe black icing for eye centers.  Using the yellow icing fitted with a writing tip, pipe buckles onto belts.