Winter Wonderland Snowman Shortbreads
On the next snowy day, bake up some fun for your kids with this cute edible craft recipe.
Makes: About eight snowmen
❚ 375 mL (1 1/2 cups) softened unsalted butter
❚ 175 mL (3/4 cup) icing sugar (plus extra for decorating)
❚ 7 mL (1 1/2 tsp) vanilla extract
❚ 2 mL (1/2 tsp) salt
❚ 750 mL (3 cups) all-purpose flour
❚ Mini chocolate chips, gum drops, licorice whips, jelly beans, fruit leather, etc.
1. Line 3 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Beat butter with icing sugar, vanilla and salt until fluffy. Add flour and mix well. (Chill if needed until easy to handle.)
3. Measure level 30 mL (2 tbsp) portions into 8 balls for snowman bases; arrange on prepared baking sheet. Measure level 15 mL (1 tbsp) and 10 mL (2 tsp) portions respectively for 8 bellies and 8 heads of snowmen. Arrange on baking sheets. Chill dough balls for 30 minutes.
4. Heat oven to 180 C (350 F). In batches, bake largest balls for 18 minutes, medium balls for 15 minutes and smallest balls for 12 minutes or until balls are golden on the bottom and set. Let cool completely.
5. Roll in icing sugar to coat. Create a paste using additional icing sugar and water (see Easy Icing Sugar Glue below); use to stack and assemble balls into a snowman shape. Decorate as desired with candies.
Easy Icing Sugar Glue: Stir 90 mL (6 tbsp) icing sugar with 7 mL (1 1/2 tsp) water. Spoon a small dab between balls to assemble snowmen. Use toothpicks to help paste on small items such as chocolate chip eyes and buttons.