St. Nick Cookies

In large bowl, with mixer on medium-high, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, corn syrup and vanilla. Reduce speed to low, and beat in flour. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into disk. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350°F. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on floured surface. Using 3-inch Santa-face cookie cutter, cut out as many cookies as you can. Carefully transfer to baking sheet, 1 inch apart. Bake 14 to 18 minutes, or until golden. Cool 1 minute. Transfer cookies to wire rack, and let cool completely.

Thin 1 cup Royal Icing with 1 tablespoon water, and tint red with food coloring. Using tip of index finger, spread red icing over hat. Let dry 30 minutes. Spread white icing on pom-pom and bottom edge of hat. Cover with sprinkles. Spread Santa's beard with white icing, and fluff with tip of spoon. For face, pipe black-icing eyes and attach cinnamon-candy nose.