Butter Cookie Snowmen

1 cup butter (no substitute), softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Red and Yellow paste food coloring
Miniature chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add milk and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add flour. Remove 1/3 cup of dough to a small bowl; tint with red food coloring. Repeat with 1/3 cup of dough and yellow food coloring; set aside.

For snowmen, shape white dough into 24 balls, 1-1/4" each; 24 balls, about 1/8" each. For bodies, place large balls on two ungreased baking sheets; flatten to 3/8" thickness. Place 1/2" balls above bodies for heads; flatten.

Shape red dough into 24 balls, 1/8" each, and 24 triangles. Place triangles above heads for hats; attach 1/8" white balls for tassels. Place red balls on heads for noses. Divide the yellow dough into 24 pieces; shape into scarves and position on snowmen. Add chocolate chip eyes and buttons.

Bake at 325 degrees for 13-16 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes before carefully removing to wire racks. Yield: 2 dozen.

This recipe came from the December/January 2003 issue of Taste of Home, pg. 10.