Giant Animal Cookies

Giant Animal Cookies

Ingredients
(for the Cookies)
8 ounces unsalted butter
3⁄4cup granulated sugar
1⁄4teaspoon  salt
1 1⁄2teaspoons  pure vanilla extract
1 large egg yolk
2 cups  all-purpose flour

Ingredients
(for the icing)
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Pink Food coloring gel

Directions
1. Beat the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla together until smooth and creamy.

2. Mix in the egg yolk until well incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl at least once.

3. Add the flour and mix just until incorporated and then scrape it out onto a lightly floured board and knead a few times, just until the dough smooths out.

4. Turn onto a sheet of parchment paper and roll into a flat disc and refrigerate for an hour.

5. Preheat your oven to 325°F and line your baking sheets with parchment.

6. Roll the dough till it's flat and about 1/8" thick and then using your animal cookie cut out place it on the cookie dough and use a pairing knife to cut out the shape. You may have to refrigerate your cookies on the baking sheet for 20 minutes before placing in the oven if the dough is too soft. This ensures that the shape will stay while baking.

7. Bake until JUST beginning to turn golden around the edges, about 12-14 minutes. 

8. For the frosting: In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup, almond extract, and food coloring gel until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.