My friend, Gloria gave me this recipe...she makes these cookies every year for her Christmas family get-togethers. I wanted to save this recipe to my Recipe Box. Nutmeg can be used in place of mace.
INGREDIENTS (for 8 servings):
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mace
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
-
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 pinch salt
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and mace. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or rub between your fingers. When butter pieces are no larger than pea size, stir in the egg, vanilla and heavy cream. Blend thoroughly. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch in thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart onto cookie sheets.
Bake for 5 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges begin to brown. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks. Cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the confectioners' sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 tablespoons of cream and salt until smooth and creamy. Spread on top of cooled cookies. Let the frosting dry before storing or serving.