Bake the perfect frosted sugar cookies for Santa this holiday season! Whip up a batch of these soft and buttery cookies, and let the little ones unleash their creativity as they decorate with colorful sprinkles, icing, holiday cheer, and, of course, eyeballs! Simple, sweet, and full of fun, these cookies are sure to be Santa's favorite – and a cherished memory for you and your grandkids!

After that, have fun with your little architects-in-training decorating and building these fool-proof gingerbread houses. I’ve made hundreds of them and they have NEVER failed me yet!! These sweet little houses are a canvas for their creativity, and there are endless options for embellishments- from cereal and candies to any pantry treasures you have lying around! But the best part of making gingerbread houses with your grandkids is that, after you get them all filled with sugar, you get to send them HOME!!

Here’s the recipe:

Gingerbread
5 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1tsp. salt
2tsp. ginger
2tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cloves
1c. shortening
1 c sugar
1 ¼ cup molasses
2 egg
Cream sugar and shortening.
Add molasses and eggs. Mix well.
Mix together flour, soda, salt, and spices. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture.
Add additional flour if necessary, to make firm dough (play dough consistency)
Roll dough out on parchment paper.
Place patterns on top of dough, cut around shape.
Remove excess dough.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. (less time for small pieces)
Gingerbread should be baked 48 hours before assembling.

Royal Icing
4 cups powdered sugar
3 T meringue powder
5-6 T water
Beat for 7-10 minutes (keep covered with moist cloth.