Ingredients
2 ⅓cupsall-purpose flour
2 ½tbspcornstarch
½tspbaking powder
½tspbaking soda
½tspsalt
½cupunsalted butter,softened
1cupgranulated sugar
1largeegg
½cupsour cream
1tspvanilla extract
¼tsptsp almond extract
12tbspunsalted buttersoftened
3 ¾cupspowdered sugar
¼cuphalf and half
1tspvanilla extract
Pretzel sticksfor the arms
icingRed, green and black colors, for eyes, mouths and scarves
Orange slice candyfor noses
Preparation
In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder baking soda and salt for 20 seconds, set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together butter and sugar until blended.
Mix in egg then blend in sour cream, vanilla extract and almond extract. With mixer set on low speed slowly add in flour mixture and mix until combined.
Cover bowl and chill until firm enough to roll, about 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F during last 10 minutes of chilling.
Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Remove half of the dough from refrigerator.
Shape dough into 9 (1 1/4-inch balls), 9 (1-inch) balls and 9 (3/4-inch) balls (spray hands with non-stick cooking spray if needed if dough is slightly sticky).
For each snowman, place 3 balls in decreasing sizes with edges just touching on prepared baking sheets spacing them about 3-inches apart. Flatten balls right between 1/2-inch and 1/4-inch.
Bake in preheated oven until nearly set, about 10 to 12 minutes (they should not be doughy). Let cool on baking sheet about 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool (I like to transfer to an airtight container about halfway through cooling so they don’t dry).
Stick one pretzel stick in each side of cookies for arms. Repeat process with remaining dough. Once cool frost with vanilla frosting.
For the frosting: in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together butter, powdered sugar, half and half and vanilla until light and fluffy.
Cut or tear a small piece of orange candy then roll and shape into a tiny carrot nose and add to cookies. Decorate with icing as desired. Add mini M&M’s for buttons.
Store cookies in an airtight container in a single layer.
