Cookies for Santa or just his elves...

This is my second Christmas season without granulated sugar. It was difficult last year to avoid all the sweets, but I did it.  This year I am so much better in avoiding them because my nose thinks sugar smells way too sweet, and I don't want it.

Today I baked "Sugar" cookies using Coconut sugar in place of granulated.  Coconut sugar is all natural - it's actually granulated nectar from the Coconut flower.  It adds a honey color to the dough and a little of a caramel flavor.  (Please do NOT use it if you have any nut allergies)

This is the easiest dough I've ever used for Cut-out Cookies:

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup coconut sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour (I used "Gail safe")
3/4 tsp baking powder

Cream the butter, sugar, and egg together with a mixer. Add the milk and vanilla. Gradually add in the flour and baking powder until a dough forms.  No chilling needed!  Roll out the dough until it is as thick as you'd like (about 1/8").  Use your favorite cookie cutters and have a blast.

I lined my baking sheets with parchment paper for easier clean-up. 
Then bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes at 375 F.

2 Frosting Recipes can be found on this blog: Vanilla Buttercream Frosting with Agave & Coconut Sugar Frosting.