Jolly Santa Cookies

These cookies will be the highlight of your holiday cookie tray or the perfect gift for the Santa collector on your list!

Makes 1 1/2 dozen cookies

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
2 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy
    vanilla ready-to-spread frosting
3 tablespoons red sugar
18 miniature marshmallows
36 currants or semisweet chocolate chips
18 red cinnamon candies
3/4 cup shredded coconut

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Beat butter, granulated sugar and lemon peel in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in egg and milk. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

2. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 3 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Press bottom of drinking glass on each until about 1/4 inch and 3 inches in diameter. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

3. Spread frosting on cookie (frost and decorate each cookie before starting another). Sprinkle red sugar over top third of cookie for hat. Press on miniature marshmallow for tassel. Press 2 currants for eyes and 1 cinnamon candy for nose into center third of cookie. Sprinkle coconut over bottom third for beard. (Total time will vary; cook or bake time is per batch.)

Nutrition Information: 1 Serving: Calories 270 (Calories from Fat 90 ); Total Fat 10 g (Saturated Fat 7 g); Cholesterol 25 mg; Sodium 180 mg; Total Carbohydrate 3 g (Dietary Fiber 1 g); Protein 2 g

Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4 %; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 2 %; Iron 4 %

Exchanges: 1 Starch; 2 Fruit; 2 Fat

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Betty Crocker 2007/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved