Christmas Cookies

[cat lover]

Do you have "special" cookies you like to bake for Christmas? Let's share them here and make it an easy place to find all those cookie recipes we all like to bake for this time of year!

Here's one we like!

White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread

1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup cold butter
12 oz white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 drops red food coloring
2 teaspoons shortening
White nonpareils and/or red edible glitter (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degreea. Spread cherries on paper towels to drain well.
In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter till mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in drained cherries and 2/3 cup of the chopped chocolate. Stir in almond extract and food coloring. Knead mixture till it forms a smooth ball. Shape dough into 3/4" balls. Place balls 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-1/2" rounds. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or till centers are set. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool. In a small saucepan, combine remaining 8 oz white chocolate and the shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Roll dipped edge in nonpareils and/or edible glitter. Place cookies on waxed paper until chocolate is set. Makes about 60. To Store: Layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

[cat lover]

Almond Brickle Sugar Cookies 4 dozen

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 pkg. (6 oz) almond brickle bits OR mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets., In large bowl combine flour, sugar, butter, egg, baking soda and vanilla. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often till well mixed. Stir in brickle bits. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 1" balls. Place 2" apart on prepared cookie sheets. Flatten cookies to 1/4" thickness with bottom of buttered glass dipped in sugar. Bake 8 to 11 minutes or till edges are very lightly browned. Remove immediately to wire rack to cool.

[cat lover]

Here's another I like to make at Christmas; don't you have some cookie recipes to share with us?

Almond Crescents

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup margarine or butter
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup ground almonds
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
granulated sugar

Sift the icing sugar and cream gradually with the margarine. Add vanilla, cinnamon and almonds. Sift the flour and knead by hand into the creamed mixture. Chill the dough, them roll to a thickness of 1/4". Cut or form into crescent shapes and bake for about 25 minutes in a preheated oven 350 degree oven.Makes 5 dozen. When they come out of the oven, sprinkle
lightly with white sugar.

[cat lover]

Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies



chocolate and white chocolate candy melts
chocolate Oreo cookies
melted white chocoalte tinted red & green
decorative spinkles and jimmies


Melt the chocolate melts using one of the methods below:


Melting Chocolate(use one of these methods)

Oven - Turn on your oven to the lowest setting (usually 200 degrees.) Put chocolate into small oven proof bowls and place in the oven. Check and stir the chocolate after about 10 minutes. Return to the oven if needed, or start making chocolates if your chocolate is smooth and melted.
Microwave - You must watch it carefully. A few extra seconds and your chocolate can be ruined. Use the low or defrost setting on the micrawave -- zap for 1 minute, then check and stir. If you need more time, do it in 10-20 second intervals and check and stir after each addition of microwave time.
Double Boiler - If you don't have a double boiler you can improvise one by placing a stainless steel bowl over a pot of simmering water. The only problem with this method is you risk getting water into the chocolate, which will make it seize, but if you're very careful the double boiler method works fine. Do not allow the simmering water to touch the bottom of the top pot (or bowl as the case may be).
Coat the cookies one side at a time, but let each side dry before you dip the second side. On the last side apply sprinkles or jimmies while coating is wet and let dry before packing.

[cat lover]

Stamped Honey Cookies

Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens

1 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla
2-3/4 cups all purpose flour
Powdered food coloring (I have yet to find this so I just sprinkle some colored sugar on top before I bake them)


In large bowl beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugar and beat until combined. Beat in egg, honey, and vanilla till combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer on medium speed. Stir in any remaining flour with a wooden spoon.
Shape dough into 1 to 1-1/2" balls. Place balls 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using a floured cookie stamp or the floured patterned bottom of a glass or dish, flatten balls to 1/4" thickness. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 6 to 8 minutes or till bottoms are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet 1 minute. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool. Brush cookies with powdered food coloring. Makes about 36 cookies.
Make-Ahead Tip: Wrap dough in plastic wrap. Place in an airtight container; chill in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or label and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Or, bake and cool cookies completely. In an airtight or freezer container, arrange cookies in a single layer and cover with a sheet of waxed paper. Repeat layers, leaving enough air space to close container easily. Seal, label, and freeze for up to 1 month.

[cat lover]

Snickerdoodles

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
2 tspcream of tarter
1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt
Cinnamon-Sugar mixture

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease your cookie sheet. In a large bowl cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. In a small bowl, combine flour, cream of tarter, soda and salt using a wire whisk.Gradually add flour mixture to shortening mixture till completely combined. Roll dough into balls about the size of walnuts. Dip into cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake two" apart for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes about 3 dozen cookies

[cat lover]

Cardamom Snaps


3/4 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup mild flavored molasses
1 egg
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar

In a mixing bowl beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the brown sugar, baking soda, 1-1/2 teaspoons of the cardamom, and the cinnamon. Beat on medium to high speed till combined. Beat in molasses and egg. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour. Shape dough into 1" balls. Roll balls in mixture of granulated sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cardamom to coat. Place balls 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in 375 degree oven about 10 minutes or till edges are set and tops are slightly cracked. Cool on wire rack. Makes about 48 cookies.

[cat lover]

Peanut Butter Kissed Surprise Cookies

1 11 oz bag hershey's peanut butter kisses, unwrapped
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter,creamy or crunchy
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp light corn syrup
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
granulated sugar, for rolling

Beat butter and peanut butter in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add sugar, corn syrup, egg and vanilla and blend well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt add to peanut butter mixture, blending well. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Shape dough into about 30 (about 1 1/4") balls. Press a kiss into each ball, covering completely with dough; reshape into balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown around edges. Cool slightly on cookie sheet; then cool completely on wire racks. Set aside 30 kisses and place remaining ones in a heavy duty resealable plastic food storage bag. Microwave at 50% for 1 minute and knead. If necessary, microwave at 15 second intervals, kneading after each heating until chocolates are melted and smooth. Cut small piece from corner of bag and drizzle chocolate over cookies.
Place a kiss in the center of each cookie.
Males 30 cookies

[cat lover]

1954 Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups flour

Cream butter with sugar and add beaten egg yolks, flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and stiffly beaten egg whites. Add enough more flour to make of consistency to roll. Cut off small pieces of the dough and roll on floured surface, sprinkle with granulated sugar. Cut out with cookie cutter and bake on greased cookie sheets at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

[cat lover]

Spiced Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

3/4 cup margarine
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup soy milk
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ginger powder
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 cups quick cooking or rolled oatmeal
1 cup dried cranberries

Cream together the margarine and sugars until smooth. Add vanilla and soy milk and mix well. Add flour, baking soda and spices until well mixed, then stir in oats and cranberries. Spoon 1 1/2" balls onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees, or until done.

[cat lover]

Low Fat Gingerbread Men

1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1/3 cup dark molasses
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar and applesauce until smooth. Add egg and molasses and mix well. In another large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and spices. Add to sugar and molasses mixture, stirring well. Divide dough in two; cover with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out dough to 1/4 or 1/8-inch thickness. Cut gingerbread men with a cookie cutter. Add candies or raisins to decorate. Place 1-2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes. Add frosting or more decorations when cool. Makes 30 cookies.

Per serving: Calories 94, Calories from Fat 16, Fat 1.8g (sat 1g), Cholesterol 11mg, Sodium 48mg

[cat lover]

Cinnamon-Scented Christmas Shortbread


1 3/4 cups flour (stir before sifting)
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Measure the flour, cornstarch, salt, and cinnamon into a bowl. In another bowl, beat butter with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. With a wooden spoon, stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture just until blended.
Shape the dough into a disk shape and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for 1 hour. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about 1/4". Cut into rounds, squares, or other shapes. Arrange the cut-outs on prepared baking sheets, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and refrigerate for about 10 minutes. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cookies are set and lightly browned. Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely.
Makes about 2 dozen cookies

[cat lover]

Lemon Snowflakes

1 pkg (18 1/4 oz) lemon cake mix with pudding
2 1/4 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 egg
Comfectioners' sugar

In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients except confectioners sugar and beat with an electric mixer on medium till blended. Batter will be very sticky. Drop by tsp into confectioners' sugar and roll lightly to coat. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or till lightly browned. Makes 5 -6 dozen

[cat lover]

Fruitcake Squares

6 tbsp margarine, melted
4 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
3/4 cup candied green cherries
3/4 cup halved candied red cherries
1/2 cup chopped candied pineapple
3/4 cup chopped dates
1 cup pecan halves
1 can (14 oz) fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla

Pour melted margarine in a 15 x 10 x 1" baking pan. Sprinkle with vanilla wafer crumbs. Arrange cherries, pineapple, dates amd pecans evenly over the crumbs and press down gently. Combine condensed milk and vanilla and pour over fruit. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Makes about 6 dozen28-

[cat lover]

Never to early to get those Christmas Cookie recipes together; Here's another good one!----- And of course they CAN be made any time of the year!


Chocolate Clusters

2 lb white or almond bark
1 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter
2 cups salted dry roasted peanuts
3 cups pastel miniature marshmalows
4 cups crisp rice cereal

Melt white chocolate and peanut butter in a double boiler stirring often to mix well. Add all remaining ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon to coat evenly. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Makes 11 dozen

[cat lover]

Hungarian Christmas Balls

1 cup sugar
Grated rind of 2 oranges
2 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup finely ground walnuts
1/2 cup finely chopped candied fruits
1/2 cup Dutch processed cocoa

Over low heat melt the sugar with grated orange rind, orange juice, and lemon juice. Cool. Add walnuts and fruits and with your hands work till well mixed. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll in 3/4" balls. Roll in cocoa till covered. Makes 2 1/2 dozen

[mamab]

Those cookies sound delicious, I may have to add them to my holiday repertoire of cookies. Yum!

[echos]

A millon Thank yous Cat Lover. These are great recipes. I am saving them all!

[cat lover]

Willing to share some of your Christmas cookie recipes echos?

[echos]

You bet, I will be posting in the near future. I love cookies and all the holiday baking.

[cat lover]

Cardamom Cookies

1 cup soft butter
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp ground cardamom
1/4 cup dairy sour cream
4 cups siftedall purpose flour
1/4 tsp each of salt & baking soda

Cream butter a d sugat till light. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Shape into 2 long rolls 2" in diameter. Roll up in wax paper and chill overnight. Cut into 1/8" slices and arrange on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 10 dozen.

[cat lover]

Pecan Butter Balls

Stir together in a bowl:

2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt

Add:

1 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla extract



Work with a spoon till well blended

Add 2 cups minced pecans and mix well. Shape into 1" balls. Roll in 1 cup freshly chopped pecans. Put on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes or till pale brown. Remove to wire racks. Makes about 4 1/2 dozen. Store these in an airtight container.

[barbszy]

This Christmas cookie recipe was given to my mom by our neighbor when I was a child. Now my sister and I make them with our families. This makes a LOT of cookies, but I haven't been able to successfully cut the recipe down (I've tried). Instead, if I don't want to bake that much at once, I wrap the dough well and freeze it.

Mrs. Wagner's Cookies
Makes 10 dozen

1 pound butter -- softened (margarine works also)
7 1/2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
5 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 heaping tsp. baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup bourbon (we use Jack Daniel's)
1 cup milk
5 egg white
Colored sugar/sprinkles for decorating

Mix flour and butter like pie dough.

Beat remaining ingredients (except egg white and colored sugar) and add to dry mix. (This is a "get your hands in it and work it" kind of dough. If you use a stand mixer, the consistency will wind up a little different.)
Dough should be STIFF.

Roll thin and cut into shapes. Brush with egg white and decorate.

Bake on greased sheet, 6 minutes at 375. Bottoms should be light brown, tops should be white.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES : Chill dough before rolling. Chill in refrigerator at least 1 hour.

[cat lover]

Sounds good barbszy!

[cat lover]

These taste like springerle cookies but aren't rolled

Italian Anise Cookies

DOUGH
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp anise extract
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

GLAZE

1 cup confectioners sugar
4 to 5 tsp milk
1 tsp anise extract

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Coat baking sheet with nonstick spray. Beat first five ingredients in a large bowl with mixer till blended. On low speed, beat in next three ingredients till blended. Drop rounded mesuring teaspoons of dough 2" apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes till bottoms are light golden. Remove cookies to a wire rack to cool. Whisk the glaze in a small bowl till smooth. Dip tops of cookies in glaze and while wet, sprinkle with nonparils. Let set. Store airtight at room temperature up to two weeks or freeze up to one month.

[barbszy]

Cat lover, I make a cookie very much like those but without the anise. I put some lemon or orange peel in the dough, and vanilla extract.
I love anise but no one else here does!

[cat lover]

That sounds good too! I'll have to give that a try, thanks!