Ho, Ho, Ho! Roly-Poly Santa Recipe

Happy Monday everyone and Merry Christmas week! Zan and I are taking a road trip and heading up to my hometown for Christmas! I hope everyone is spending this week with their families and friends and I hope you get to make these Santas! My friend Mara from M loves M featured my Santa cookies today for her cookie exchange. Check out the post here and make sure to check out more amazing cookie recipes from other fellow bloggers. There are some really great ones, like these Mexican Hot-Chocolate Snickerdoodles, yum! Here are a few pictures and instructions on how to make these adorable little Santas ;) They are so buttery and delicious, you'll feel bad for eating their legs and head, but you won't regret it once you have a taste!

Recipe: 

1 cup butter 

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla 

2 1/4 cups flour 

red food coloring 

mini-chocolate chips (for eyes and buttons) 

Red Hots for nose 

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees 

Beat the butter on high for 30 seconds. Add sugar, beat until combined, scraping down sides of bowl. Beat in milk and vanilla. Gradually add flour. 

Remove 1 cup of dough and set aside. Mix red food coloring in the remaining dough. Make a one 1-inch ball and five 1/2-inch balls from the red dough. From the plain dough, make a 3/4-inch ball and four 1/4-inch. Attach them by pushing the dough together, like picture shows. Add the chocolate chips for the eyes and three buttons. After the Santas are assembled on a cookie sheet, bake them for 12-15 minutes. Let cool for 2 minutes.

Recipe for frosting:

1/2 cup shortening 

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/3 cup powdered sugar 

1 tablespoon milk 

Directions: 

Beat shortening and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in mixer for 30 seconds. Gradually add powdered sugar and enough milk to make frosting piping consistency. 

Spoon frosting into a decorating bag and use a medium, star tip to pipe the Santa's beard, hat and add the nose! Voila, you have a charming little cookie! 

Photo credit: Zanny P!