Shaped Cookies

Be careful -- these snowmen may melt in your mouth!

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
• 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 3 to 4 teaspoons milk
• Paste food coloring
• Large gumdrops
• Rolled fruit leather, cut into 3-inch long thin strips

Take a look at these tips for creating Snowmen Cookies:

Sugar Cookie Snowmen

Snowmen Cookies

Peanut Snowmen

1. Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; beat until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with mixer. Stir in any remaining flour with a wooden spoon.

Step 2.

2. For each snowman you'll need to shape 3 balls of the dough -- one 1-inch ball, one 3/4-inch ball, and one 1/2-inch ball. Roll a portion of the dough between both hands -- this is a job that the kids can do. Use a ruler to measure the size of dough balls.

Step 3.

3. Place 3 balls for each snowman in decreasing sizes with the edges just touching on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press the balls together slightly but not enough that you change the shape of the balls. Leave about 1-1/2 inches between each snowman cookie. The 3 pieces for each snowman should be just touching.

Step 4.

4. Insert 2 miniature semisweet chocolate pieces in the smallest ball for the eyes, 1 chocolate piece in the middle ball for a button, and 2 chocolate pieces in the largest ball for two more buttons. Line up the buttons in the medium and large balls. Bake in a 325 degree F oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until bottoms of cookies are very lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely.