Smitten with the Mitten

Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas are separated by the 5-mile Straits of Mackinac waterway joining Lakes Huron and Michigan. As a result, the Mackinac Bridge, a state landmark opened in 1957, joins the two peninsulas. We’re celebrating Michigan with our Mackinac Bridge ornament and vintage Michigan license plate keychain.

It’s pretty obvious around here that we’re smitten with the mitten. With over 11,000 inland lakes, more freshwater coastline than any other state, and stunning national and state parks, Michigan is home sweet home to outdoor enthusiasts.

Festive Cookie Dough Recipe

This sweet cookie recipe comes from my sister, Brenda Toyzan, who makes Michigan her home. Unquestionably, cream cheese makes these cookies moist and flavorful! Pick up your Michigan cookie cutters at Bronner’s and let’s get started!

Michigan cookie cutters, #1157597, $4.99 set (Contact customerservice@bronners.com or 800.361.6736 to order.)

Ingredients

flour – 3 1/2 cups

baking powder – 1 Tsp

margarine or butter, softened – 1 cup

cream cheese, softened – 8 oz

sugar – 1 3/4 cup

egg – 1

vanilla – 1 Tsp

butter flavoring/extract – 1/4 Tsp

coconut flavoring/extract – 1/4 Tsp

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, beat margarine or butter and cream cheese for 30 seconds.
3. Pour sugar in gradually and beat until fluffy.
4. Gently drop in egg, vanilla and flavorings and beat well. (If you use butter instead of margarine, you don’t need to add butter flavoring. Just increase vanilla by 1/4 teaspoon. And should you not have coconut extract, you can substitute an additional 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla.)
5. Gradually add flour and baking powder to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
6. Cover and chill overnight (or at least a couple of hours)
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough 1/4 inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.
8. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely on a rack before frosting.

Frosting

For frosting … mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, softened cream cheese the size of a large jawbreaker, 1/4 teaspoon butter flavoring, and a little water or milk as needed for spreading consistency. (This recipe makes a thin frosting. All things considered, you may need to double the recipe to cover a full batch of cookies.)

Make Michigan Your Destination

Without a doubt, you’ll want to be sure to make Michigan your destination in 2020.