Mrs. Claus's Shortbread Cookies

Mrs. Claus is always making cookies for the elves. She tries a lot of recipes to see what they like. This is a one of her favorites to make. She can use a variety of toppings and they are elf sized.

Small toppings work well, such as colored sugars and nonpareils. The jimmies/sprinkles don't work well because they stay on the cookies as well. Another option is to use candied fruit.

Are you ready to get what you need?

• 3 cups butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups powdered/confectioners' sugar
• 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups cornstarch
• colored sugars, nonpareils, halved candied fruit, etc. for toppings
• extra flour
• 3 or more cookie sheets
• 1 inch scooper
• fork
• wire racks - three or four depending on size
• large bowl
• containers

So, there aren't a lot of ingredients, and you are ready to get going.

Some of the elves will help Mrs. Claus when making these cookies. They like to do the toppings.

Step 1 - Preheat your oven to 300°F.

Step 2 - You'll want to get the 3 cups of butter softened before you go onto the next step.

Step 3 - Put all that butter into a large bowl and cream the softened butter together with the powdered/confectioners' sugar. You will know you are done when it's completely mixed, plus light and fluffy. You may want to periodically speed up the mixer to get all of the butter and sugar mixture off the beaters.

Step 4 - One cup at a time, add in the flour and then the last 1/2 cup. I put the hand mixer on speed 2.

Step 5 - A half cup at a time, add in the cornstarch.

Step 6 - I then put all the dough into a ball in the bowl.

Step 7 - Scoop out 1 inch dough balls.

Step 8 - Place each dough ball on the cookie sheet, about 1 inch apart.

Step 9 - Lightly press in a fork that is lightly floured. I have put flour in a small dish and keep dipping it in the flour between pressing each cookie. I will place a row of cookies before pressing them with the fork.

Step 10 - Once I have all the cookies on the tray, then I decorate them. I will vary what is on each cookie - typically 3 or 4 different decorations. With my cookie sheets I can get 24 cookies on each tray. Will you have a helper that is decorating for you? This is a great job for your little elf.

Step 11 - Bake the cookies in the oven for 20-22 minutes. Actually, you will want to watch your first batch of cookies extra close. You want the bottoms lightly browned, but not burnt. Take note of the timer when you take them out. You can then adjust your cook time for your next batches. Also, if you use different types of cookie sheets, you will want to watch the cookies to see how quickly the bottoms turn brown.

Step 12 - You'll want to cool the cookies on the tray for about 5 minutes.

Step 13 - Transfer them to completely cool on the wire racks.

Repeat steps 6 thru 12 for each batch of cookies until you have used all of the dough.

Step 14 - Once they are all cooled place them into containers.

What kind of containers should you place them in? There's a lot of options. You can put them all in a plastic container for storage. Then put them in decorative containers to give as gifts.

I have also put these on cookie and treat trays for a party.

Whatever you decorate these cookies with and however you package them, friends and family will enjoy them.