Chinese New Year ~ Year of the Ox
Happy Chinese New Year coming up on January 26th. This year, it is the “year of the ox.” The typical Ox is a tolerant person with strong character. Not many people could equal the resolution and fearlessness the Ox exhibits when deciding to accomplish a task or an objective. Oxen know they will succeed through hard work and sustained effort and find no truth or benefit in concocting get-rich-quick schemes. This powerful sign is that of a great leader, one who has an ability to achieve great things. Hmmm, right on the tail of the presidential inauguration…how apropos. Anyway, every year, my friend Shawn has a great Chinese New Year party and today, I am featuring my Chinese New Year cookies from last year – year of the pig.
They are basic sugar cookies tinted pink sprinkled with pink sugar crystals (before baking). After the cookies cooled, I brushed on a metallic edible dusting powder, in pink, of course. I use these powders all the time and they are available in lots of colors, even ox! You can order them online from Candyland Crafts. In case you do not have an ox cookie cutter and can’t find a cow, which would suffice, go to coppergifts.com and you will find one there (and much more).
Basic Sugar Cookie recipe:
1 1/2 C. butter
1 1/2 C. Sugar
2 eggs
2 t. vanilla
3 1/2 C. flour
2 t. cream of tarter
1 t. baking soda
Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter and sugar well with an electric mixer. Add eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl mix flour, cream of tarter and soda. With mixer on low, slowly add the dry mixture to the butter mixture until well blended. Roll out to 1/4″ and cut into shapes. Bake for 6 - 7 minutes.